Hollywoodbets Super League

Hollywoodbets Super League Preview: Gameweek 9 Preview

We preview the round 9 of the Hollywoodbets Super League.

by
Bryan Naicker
June 17, 2021

We take a look at all of the action coming your way from round 9 of the Hollywoodbets Super League.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

The action is heating up at the top of the standings as Bloemfontein Celtic drew level on points with JVW Girls following last week’s victory over the Blue Diamonds. UWC also capitalized on the situation, comfortably running out 3-0 winners over Tsunami Queens.

This week, we’re served up with a few mouth-watering contests as JVW Girls aim to bounce back against First Touch FC, while Mamelodi Sundowns tackle Coal City Wizards.

UWC Ladies return home to the Mother City to host Richmond United, while UJ Ladies plan to make home advantage count when Thunderbirds travel to Joburg.

Elsewhere, Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies and TUT Ladies will be hoping to maintain their solid start to the season and Durban Ladies target more points after breaking their duck last time out.

[team_standings 73769]

Saturday 19 June

Durban Ladies 7/2
Draw 5/2
Ma Indies Ladies 13/20

Durban Ladies chalked up their first points of the season in the 3-2 victory over Richmond United at the Merino Stadium in De Aar. The young and vibrant team return home to the Chatsworth Stadium hoping to build on the positive result and impressive display.

Ma-Indies Ladies got back to winning ways with an emphatic 4-0 win over Golden Ladies in Limpopo and will now target improvement on their travels.
Durban Ladies’ youthful outfit will look to the experience within the team in Zamandosi Cele to guide them, while Ma-Indies will be hoping for another Nkoikoi Mabina Player of the Match performance.

Verdict: Draw 5/2

With scattered showers expected in Durban on Saturday, making conditions difficult to play in, I’m back these sides to cancel out each other and settle for a share of the spoils.

First Touch FC 31/20
Draw 2/1
JVW Girls 31/20

First Touch FC will be looking to secure their second home win of the season at the Old Peter Mokhaba stadium when JVW Girls make the trip to Limpopo. The match with Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies was unfortunately called off last week and coach Rhulani Mathebula’s troops will be raring to go against another quality outfit this time around.

JVW’s Gabriela Salgado gave the Blue Diamonds the lead with her fifth goal of the campaign early in the first half which was then overturned by two Celtic goals in the second half. Coach Ciara Picco’s team won’t be pleased with the result as victory would’ve meant drawing level with log leaders Masandawana on 19 points.

Verdict: JVW 31/20

My money is firmly on JVW to return to winning ways.

Coal City Wizards 15/2
Draw 9/2
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies 2/9

Coal City Wizards worryingly drew a third consecutive blank, again failing to score in the goalless draw with Thunderbirds Ladies away at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium. The goings only get tougher for the Witbank-based outfit, who entertain defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns next.

The Brazilians were left disappointed after their game was cancelled, however, coach Jerry Tshabalala emphasized that it’s his duty to keep the players motivated and make them train twice as hard to maintain their impressive standards while not becoming complacent.

Verdict: Sundowns Ladies 2/9

Take Masandawana to claim maximum points.

UWC Ladies 11/20
Draw 28/10
Richmond United 15/4

UWC Ladies moved up to second on the standings, just two points behind Sundowns with their third straight win. Coach Thinasonke Mbuli’s team also kept their third clean sheet on the trot in the 3-0 win over Tsunami Queens.

At home, UWC have been in stellar form winning all four games, in fact JVW are the only team to score at the “Operation Room” this season.

Richmond United were downed 3-2 at home to bottom-of-the-log Durban Ladies despite Hilda Xaba and 18-year-old Lonathemba Mhlongo finding the back of the net.

Abongile Dlani was in fine form against Tsunami Queens, netting twice and has promised the fans that she’ll be on the scoresheet again when the Bushies lock horns with Richmond United.

Verdict: UWC Ladies 11/20

With that kind of confidence, I have no choice but to back UWC Ladies to win their fourth straight league game.

UJ Ladies 7/10
Draw 24/10
Thunderbirds Ladies 33/10

UJ Ladies suffered a third defeat in four Hollywoodbets Super League matches, narrowly losing out to TUT Ladies (1-0) last Sunday. Despite the despondent mood within the team, the coaching staff remains positive and assured the team that better results are to come.

The Orange Army can hold their heads up high after giving it their all. Expect a big performance from coach Kgabo Ditsebe’s team at Soweto Campus.

Thunderbirds Ladies don’t inspire any confidence going into this one. Coach Thembalethu Alpeni’s charges are winless since the opening round of games two months ago.

Verdict: UJ Ladies 7/10

My money is on UJ Ladies to make home advantage count and claim maximum points.

TUT Ladies 6/10
Draw 23/10
Tsunami Queens 43/10

TUT Ladies continued in their rich vein of form. Salome Kekana’s solitary goal was the difference in their 1-0 win over UJ Ladies. The Tshwane girls have now won three games on the trot and will look to build on that momentum.

Tsunami Queens will find it difficult against a team that have only failed to beat the top three sides, Sundowns, UWC and JVW. The visitors’ struggles have seen them win just once in their last seven outings which doesn’t inspire any hope for the underdogs to come out tops.

Verdict: TUT Ladies 6/10

Take TUT Ladies to earn their fourth straight win.

Sunday 20 June

Golden Ladies 43/10
Draw 23/10
Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies 6/10

Golden Ladies come off a 4-0 humbling to Ma-Indies, away in Limpopo. After consecutive victories over UJ Ladies and Tsunami Queens, the hosts suffered defeats to Richmond United and Ma Indies last time out.

Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies will be buzzing after beating the much-fancied JVW Girls last time out. With last week’s win, Siwelele drew level on points with JVW and claimed their sixth victory in seven games.