Our writer previews the round 29 of the South African National First Division.
The penultimate round of the NFD is sure to keep you at the edge of your seat with Black Leopards, Stellenbosch FC, Royal Eagles, AmaZulu and Witbank all still in with a realistic chance of qualifying for the PSL play-off round.
Further down the table, Santos have already been deemed relegated with just 19 points from 28 matches, while four teams are still involved in the battle for survival. It’s been one of the most exiting NFD seasons to date and one that is going down to the wire! So don’t blink, stay tuned because this is going to be a thrilling round of action packed football!
Wednesday 10 April
University of Pretoria 2/1 | Draw 21/10 | Black Leopards 13/10
University of Pretoria and Black Leopards will square off in one of the more high profiled fixtures of the round. AmaTuks ended a run of three straight home defeats with a 3-0 victory over Milano United last time out.
Black Leopards – still gunning for the play-off places – have lacked consistency in recent weeks but put in a great shift last weekend, hammering relegation-candidates, Magesi FC, 4-1 at home. Lidoda Duvha got much more to play for and are tipped to come away with a narrow victory.
Santos 33/20 | Draw 23/10 | Witbank 8/10
As of next season, Santos will be plying their trade in the ABC Motsepe League after winning all but just three matches this season. The Capetonians have been flirting with relegation for the past few seasons, so I doubt it comes as much as a surprise to most. However, in their last home game for the campaign, they might just want to give their fans something to smile about.
Witbank are unbeaten in their last five matches with three victories, including a 3-1 home win over Mbombela United last time out. It’s a must win game for Siyavutha, who are remain in the running for a play-off spot. It won’t be cut and dry but Witbank are tipped to edge this one.
AmaZulu 7/10 | Draw 24/10 | Jomo Cosmos 15/4
Following back-to-back defeats, AmaZulu returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion, ousting Santos 3-0 at home. Next up is Jomo Cosmos, who have been awful on the road this season with just one win from 13 games, scoring eight goals and conceding 18 times.
AmaZulu must win this encounter to stay in touching distance of the all-important play-off places. They have won their last three matches at home, scoring nine goals and conceding just once. The home win is the way to go.
Thanda Royal Zulu 6/10 | Draw 5/2 | FC Cape Town 9/2
NFD Champions, Thanda Royal Zulu, looked a bit hungover at Cape Town All Stars last weekend, suffering a 1-0 defeat. But the KwaZulu-Natal based team will look to end their last home game on a high in front of their beloved supporters. Amabhubesi remain unbeaten on their ground with 11 wins and three draws from 14 matches.
FC Cape Town are winless in their last six games on the road, including back-to-back defeats, scoring only once and conceding six times. The African Beasts can’t afford to drop points with the Capetonians just three points clear of the relegation zone. I just can’t see FC Cape Town coming out of this one unscathed with Thanda Royal Zulu tipped to utilize home advantage for the last time this season.
Milano United 26/10 | Draw 22/10 | Stellenbosch FC 1/1
Milano United and Stellenbosch FC will lock horns on Wednesday afternoon. The home team is fighting relegation, while their opponents are determined to maintain their place in the top three. Milano United have lost three of their last four matches but have been decent on home soil.
Stellenbosch FC have been in the opposite form with three wins from their last four games and have the best away record in the league. Nonetheless, the Kinnes have won the last three meetings between the teams and are tipped to claim a share of the spoils.
Royal Eagles 1/1 | Draw 22/10 | Mbombela United 5/2
Royal Eagles are unbeaten in their last four matches with two wins and two draws. The Durbanite claimed an impressive 2-1 victory away to Jomo Cosmos last time out and will be looking to build on that. With just one defeat at home all season, Eagles look good value for money.
Mbombela United’s run of four straight victories came to an end last time out with a 3-1 loss at Witbank Spurs. They have struggled on their travels this term with just two wins from 14 matches. This one should be a bit of a cagey affair but Eagles are tipped to get the job done.
Magesi FC 15/10 | Draw 2/1 | Real Kings FC 18/10
Magesi FC might be 15th on the table but they are still in with a chance of surviving relegation. The newcomers have inconsistent in recent weeks but have shown impressive form on home soil, winning five matches on the spin, scoring 11 goals and conceding just twice.
Real Kings FC have stumbled in recent weeks and are now winless in their last three matches with two defeats, including a 2-0 defeat at Stellenbosch last time out. A tight affair is expected but Magesi FC are tipped to bag all three points.
Mthatha Bucks 13/10 | Draw 21/10 | Cape Town All Stars 2/1
Mthatha Bucks are without a win in their last five matches with four defeats and one draw. Cape Town All Stars come to town high on confidence after edging table-toppers Thanda Royal Zulu 1-0 last time out.
Both teams are struggling to score goals at the moment, making the Totals market – Under 2.5 Goals – a good looking bet. But if you looking for a result, a dull stalemate is on the cards.
QUAD TIPPED @ 12/1
AmaZulu Win (7/10)
Thanda Royal Zulu Win (6/10)
Royal Eagles Win (1/1)
Magesi FC Win (15/10)
Written by Aaron Crowie @Hollywoodbets
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