Another weekend of DStv Premiership football is upon us with plenty of surprises happening in the opening three rounds of action. To date, Richards Bay, TS Galaxy and AmaZulu have been the pacesetters with the trio all sitting on seven points and are three of five teams yet to taste defeat this early into the new campaign.
Friday 19 August
7/4 Swallows | Draw 19/10 | AmaZulu 7/4 (19:30)
The weekend kicks off with the Brandon Truter derby as his former employers, Swallows, gear up to take on AmaZulu at Dobsonville. The Dube Birds last played last week Friday where they earned a commendable goalless draw at Maritzburg United.
AmaZulu have been one of the most impressive teams in the country and are joint-leaders in the league, level with TS Galaxy and Richards Bay on seven points. Usuthu have won back-to-back matches coming into this tie and carry all the momentum heading to Friday. My money is on the visitors.
Saturday 20 August
12/10 Golden Arrows | 2/1 | TS Galaxy 5/2 (15:00)
Golden Arrows picked up their first point of the campaign, drawing 1-1 against Marumo Gallants last weekend. Their only home game of the season came in the opening round, where they lost in a KZN derby to Richards Bay.
TS Galaxy seem to be destined for great things this season and boast seven points to their name after three matches, and famously beat Mamelodi Sundowns a week ago. On current form, its tough to back against the Rockets – take the Away Win/Draw Double Chance at 6/10.
9/2 Sekhukhune United | 5/2 | Sundowns 13/20 (15:00)
Mamelodi Sundowns shut their doubters up after just a few days of noise that came after the champions had been beaten by TS Galaxy.
Downs then followed that result with a 4-0 drubbing over Kaizer Chiefs, who brimmed with confidence building up to that fixture. Downs made it clear to the rest of the league that they have no peers in this division and that shock defeat was just a once off. Sundowns are a must for all multiples.
5/4 Cape Town City | 2/1 | Stellenbosch 24/10 (17:30)
The first iKapa Derby of the new season comes fresh after Cape Town City’s midweek tie against Maritzburg United. The hosts have had a difficult start to the new term and now have to deal with the nuisance that is Stellenbosch.
The visitors are one of the few teams in the division yet to taste defeat thus far and come off the back of humbling Royal AM 3-1. A tough, end-to-end encounter is expected with a share of the spoils expected.
5/4 Maritzburg United | 2/1 | Chippa United 5/2 (20:00)
Maritzburg United go in search of their first win at the Harry Gwala Stadium after drawing their opening two games in Pietermaritzburg. The Team of Choice could also have a case of tired legs after facing Cape Town City in the Mother City on Tuesday.
Chippa United and Daine Klate picked up their first win at top flight level together, beating Klate’s former side, Orlando Pirates, by a single goal to nil. They carry the momentum to now earn a draw at Harry Gwala – and that’s where my money will be.
9/10 Kaizer Chiefs | 22/10 | Richards Bay 3/1 (20:00)
Kaizer Chiefs have a massive task ahead of them after coming off the back of their humiliating 4-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns. The Glamour Boys now face the log-leaders in Richards Bay, who are yet to concede a single goal this term.
Despite playing at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in KZN, Chiefs will still have the edge, outnumbering their opposition with support. The flip side will be that the crowd will certainly be on their back if the game is not going their way. Despite what happened last week, I fancy Chiefs to edge this tie out.
Sunday 21 August
9/10 Royal AM | 22/10 | Marumo Gallants 32/10 (15:00)
Royal AM will be strongly fancied when they host Marumo Gallants this Sunday. The hosts suffered their first defeat of the season last week, going down 3-1 to Stellenbosch.
Gallants are yet to win a game this term, drawing all three of their encounters. The hosts faced stern opposition last time out and will show in this tie that it was just a once-off slip-up. Royal AM are a banker here.
22/10 SuperSport United | 2/1 | Orlando Pirates 27/20 (17:30)
The famous fixture between SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates will once again be on our TV screens this weekend. SuperSport United have lost back-to-back ties in the DStv Premiership and sit in 14th spot at the time of writing.
Orlando Pirates were humbled 1-0 by their club legend in Daine Klate, who came and conquered at Esigodini, winning 1-0. Pirates have looked shaky and unconvincing under their new guidance. This could be far from entertaining with a dull draw expected.
TREBLE @ 7/1
AmaZulu Win 7/4
Sundowns Win 13/20
Royal AM Win 9/10
