ABSA Premiership Week 10 (Postponed) Preview

All Matches postponed due to the tragic murder of Orlando Pirates’ number one and Bafana Bafana skipper, Senzo Meyiwa. 


Moroka Swallows vs Platinum Stars | Friday 31 October | Dobsonville Stadium | 20:00
The previous week of PSL action was an odd one to say the least, and who would’ve thought Swallows, on a five-game losing streak, would be the first side to take points against Chiefs this season. They’re far from turning their season around, but this may be the kickstart they needed. I can’t say Platinum Stars are much better though and both sides sit just off bottom wondering when the light at the end of the tunnel will appear. Friday night’s game could see both sides scoring, although picking a result may prove a little more tricky.

Maritzburg United vs University of Pretoria | Friday 31 October | Harry Gwala Stadium | 20:00
Going on the theme of strange results, I doubt many would have predicted the 4-1 drubbing Maritzburg handed Supersport away from home.  That three-pointer sees them move up into third, above two others on goal difference. AmaTuks have had no such luck thus far, sitting on just six points from nine games. Home or away, it seems any result alludes them, and there should be no change this weekend. It’s not often Maritzburg will be so short, but a home game against a side with more games played than points will do that. Get a home win at 5/10 and pray the PSL shockers stay away.

AmaZulu vs Mpumalanga Black Aces | Saturday 01 November | Princess Magogo Stadium | 18:00
Because of the postponed Soweto Derby, the first game on Saturday only kicks off at 18:00. Usuthu are in dire straits, even with a point on the road last time out in the league. Black Aces, as I predicted, are having a great start to their campaign. For very different reasons, I can’t see either side making any further advances up the league for now, but consolidation for Aces on Saturday would seemingly outweigh AmaZulu’s desperation for points. It may not be an outright three-pointer for Aces, but at 3/10 for an Aces/Draw Double Chance, you could pretty much count on it as a banker this weekend.

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Free State Stars | Saturday 01 November | Lucas Moripe Stadium | 20:15
Sundowns surprisingly dropped points against Chippa last time out in the league and they’ll look to bounce back to winning ways. Stars can be menacing in Bethlehem, but I’m not a fan of them on the road. Eleven points from nine games speaks volume for their consistency, and with two wins against Downs in eighteen outings, the odds are stacked heavily in Pitso Mosimane’s favour. If I could fault Downs thus far this season, it would be their failure to put games to bed, but you can’t bet against a record like theirs and at 55/100 for a home win, I wouldn’t complain either.

Polokwane City vs Chippa United | Saturday 01 November | Old Peter Mokaba Stadium | 20:15
Chippa are continuing to surprise this season. They’re unbeaten in their last five in the league, picking up eleven points in those encounters. With a bunched top half of the table, wins and losses can either rocket you up the log or see you slip behind in an instant. Polokwane City will be a game in which they’ll look to continue their winning ways; the hosts sport a ugly -10 goal difference from their opening nine games. The leak at the back will aid Chippa and I suggest playing this one two ways. A Chippa win at 16/10 is a must, but look to the under 2.5 goals market or Chippa/Draw Double Chance at 35/100 to include in multiples.

Ajax Cape Town vs Supersport United | Sunday 02 November | Cape Town Stadium | 15:30
Whilst SuperSport are making vast improvements in performance as the season progresses, Ajax are still riding high. Still clear second, they have quickly returned to being a formidable opponent in Cape Town. SuperSport, under new man Igesund, will have to be at their best and their recent 4-1 drubbing by Maritzburg would’ve stunted their aforementioned growth. Historically these sides have fought tooth and nail in this fixture and Sunday should prove no different. I’ll be at the game as a neutral, but you can be sure where my money’s going. I can’t pick a result but definitely take Both Teams To Score. They’re the most proactive attacking teams in the league at the moment and this should seem both of them find the net at least once.

Bloemfontein Celtic vs Bidvest Wits | Sunday 02 November | Free State Stadium | 15:30
After a recent good run of form, Celtic find themselves in a much healthier position than they were this time last month. Conversely, Wits have struggled of late, culminating in a disappointing loss to Polokwane City at home last week. This means these teams are now only separated by a mere two points, making Sunday’s clash an important one for both. Historically there has never been much between these sides, but in the last couple of years, Wits have certainly had the upper hand. They travel to Celtic hoping to continue this, and at 21/10, it seems good value to me. They’ll have to fight form and turn things around, but I don’t see why one shouldn’t jump at the great odds on offer.