Our football scribe previews gameweek 16 of the South African PSL.
The Absa Premiership is back to grace our screens after a long festive season break. SuperSport lead the table on goal difference from Bidvest Wits and Cape Town City‚ having played a game less than the latter and a game more than the former.
But they are just six points ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns having played five games more‚ which does give their position as frontrunners a falsehood. Kaizer Chiefs are fourth in the standings and a point behind log leaders SuperSport, while 10th-placed Orlando Pirates are not in the title conversation.
Tuesday 7 February
6/10 Bidvest Wits | Draw 24/10 | Ajax Cape Town 9/2
We kick things off with a clash between second-placed Bidvest Wits and ninth-placed Ajax Cape Town. The hosts come into this one having won just once in their last six matches, while the visitors make the trip to Braamfontein, winning five of their last six games – including two on the bounce.
Gavin Hunt’s side are only behind leaders SuperSport United on goal difference, although having played a game more. The Urban Warriors have been superb since the appointment of Stanley Menzo and will fancy their chances of causing an upset. A tight affair is expected with the teams tipped to cancel each other out.
11/20 Cape Town City | Draw 24/10 | Highlands Park 5/1
Our next game sees third-placed Cape Town City host 15th-placed Highlands Park. The Citizens have picked up just one point from their last three matches and Eric Tinkler will be hoping his side can return to winning ways.
Highlands Park have struggled in the top flight after their promotion from the NFD last season with Gordon Igesund’s side still yet to register an away win. The Lions of the North will need to improve in the second half of the season if they are to survive the drop. Back the Citizens to pick up their fifth home win of the season.
5/10 Kaizer Chiefs | Draw 26/10 | Free State Stars 11/2
Kaizer Chiefs will be hoping to enjoy a winning start in 2017 when they host 14th-placed Free State Stars. Amakhosi are just one point behind table-toppers SuperSport United and will be confident of keeping up their attempts to clinch the Absa Premiership title. Steve Komphela’s side are riding a two-match winning streak and are unbeaten in their last four home matches. Free State Stars have won three of their last five Absa Premiership matches, however, all have come on home soil.
Ea Lla Koto are still searching for their first away win of the season. They’ve lost five of their seven games on the road and Serame Letsoaka will be desperate to turn that form around. The home win is tipped confidently.
Wednesday 8 February
9/2 Bloem. Celtic | Draw 24/10 | Mamelodi Sundowns 6/10
Reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns travel to Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium to take on 12th-placed Bloemfontein Celtic. Pitso Mosimane’s charges are seventh in the table, six points behind leaders SuperSport United but with five games in hand.
The Brazilians have won six of their last seven Absa Premiership matches – including two on the spin. Siwelele snapped a four-match winless run by beating Orlando Pirates 2-1 at the Orlando Stadium in December. Prior to that result, they drew with SuperSport, Highlands Park and Kaizer Chiefs, before losing 3-0 at home to Ajax Cape Town. The away win is a top bet at 6/10.
9/10 Chippa United | Draw 22/10 | Baroka 28/10
Chippa United will be looking for maximum points when they square off with bottom side Baroka at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. The Chilli Boys, who are 11th in the table, have won back-to-back home games against Kaizer Chiefs and Highlands Park.
|Their opponents, Baroka, need to improve their form to avoid the drop. Bakgaga are winless in their last nine Absa Premiership matches, suffering four defeats. Jacob Sakala’s side have lost their last two away matches and should go down here. Back the home win at 9/10.
21/10 Platinum Stars | Draw 21/10 | Orlando Pirates 12/10
Platinum Stars welcome Orlando Pirates to the Royal Bafokeng Stadium this Wednesday. Dikwena are struggling in 13th place with three wins from 14 matches, including a staggering six losses. However, they’ve managed to go unbeaten in their last three Absa Premiership matches.
They won 4-0 at Cape Town City before back-to-back draws against Maritzburg United and Highlands Park. The Buccaneers are languishing in 10th place and are winless in their last five matches, suffering three defeats. The teams are tipped to share the spoils at 21/10.
1/1 Polokwane City | Draw 22/10 | Maritzburg United 5/2
Polokwane City will be looking to snap their two-match losing streak when they take on eighth-placed Maritzburg United. Rise and Shine lost their last two Absa Premiership meetings against Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport. Both of those defeats came away from home, with Polokwane riding a two-match winning streak at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Maritzburg United are unbeaten in their last five matches, but have won just twice. The Team of Choice have proved tough to beat this season and they’ve lost just once in their last five travels. I’m going for Maritzburg on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 13/20.
7/10 SuperSport United | Draw 23/10 | Golden Arrows 15/4
Log-leaders SuperSport United will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in the Absa Premiership to 14 matches when they host sixth-placed Golden Arrows. Matsatsantsa, who have tasted defeat on one occasion this season, are riding a four-match winning streak at Lucas Moripe Stadium, scoring 14 goals while conceding three.
Golden Arrows have lost their early season spark and come into this fixture winless in six matches, suffering three defeats – two coming away from home. SuperSport are tipped to enjoy a winning start in 2017 – get on at 7/10.
TREBLE @ 3/1
Chiefs Win 5/10
Sundowns Win 6/10
SuperSport Win 7/10
Written by Doctor’s Orders @ @Hollywoodbets
