We’re just getting into a jam-packed December of PSL football before the break in January. Players are trying to prove their worth ahead of AFCON 2015 and a possible place in the Bafana Bafana squad, and with some teams consolidating their current league positions, lots of sides are on the move and looking to make up lost ground. We’ve got you covered from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon, so let’s get into it.
Maritzburg United vs University of Pretoria | Friday 05 December | Harry Gwala Stadium | 20:00
Maritzburg’s strong run continues after an impressive win away against Pirates on Tuesday night. Mohammed Anas’s brace has made him top scorer for the club, and they seem to be gelling with a handful of new players cementing starting spots. AmaTuks were the unlucky side that gave AmaZulu their first win of the 2014/15 PSL. Granted they were on the road, but this has confined them to fourteenth spot, sitting wearily above relegation. With the home side’s dominance in the opening thirteen games of the season, 8/10 for the Maritzburg win looks certain value here.
Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs | Saturday 06 December | FNB Stadium | 15:30
It’s the biannual draw card that gets 80% of local football fans focused on one game. Postponed due to the tragic death of Pirates’ captain, Senzo Meyiwa, this fixture couldn’t have come at a worse time. Chiefs are still flying high and their 3-0 win over sixth placed Wits seemed almost a formality for the AmaKhosi. With a rattled Pirates still suffering from inconsistency, you have to favour the mighty Chiefs, despite the game being at Orlando Stadium. Erasmus, Majoro and Manyisa have been the few shining stars in a somewhat off-the-boil Bucs campaign, and with the away win at 13/10, it’s where I’ll be putting my pennies.
AmaZulu vs Mpumalanga Black Aces | Saturday 06 December | Princess Magogo Stadium | 18:00
It’s taken thirteen games, but Usuthu have finally broken their duck. A 2-1 win at home under new coach, Steve Barker, saw them break what seemed a never-ending winless curse. Black Aces conceded late, and squandered what would’ve been a credible victory away at Chippa, to draw 2-2. It’s extended their winless streak to four games and given them even more motivation to grab points away from home in this fixture. Could a new coach be the answer for AmaZulu? It’s too early to say I believe, and would be hesitant to put my hard-earned bucks behind them, even at home. A Black Aces Draw No Bet is 17/20 and looks one of the better bankers of the weekend.
Moroka Swallows vs Platinum Stars | Saturday 06 December | Dobsonville Stadium | 20:15
This should be an interesting clash, with both sides possessing the quality to do well, but lacking the current form to pull it off. Swallows had the more satisfactory of results in midweek, with a 1-1 draw at home to Ajax. Dikwena’s woes continue with another disappointing loss away at Polokwane City. They’re still on the road, and despite only three points separating these sides, you’ve got to feel Swallows will have some advantage in this fixture. They’ve never lost to Stars at home, and 11/20 for a home Draw No Bet seems a well calculated bet in my opinion.
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Free State Stars | Saturday 06 December | Lucas Moripe Stadium | 20:15
Sundowns seem to be gaining the momentum that saw them lead the PSL for the majority of last season. A moral-boosting 3-1 win at home against SuperSport United extends their unbeaten run in the league to five games. Free State Stars will always be seen as underdogs in this matchup and unfortunately even their midweek victory over provincial rivals Celtic won’t aid their cause. It brought to end a lengthy winless streak, but I don’t see it being enough momentum to topple a Sundowns side just starting to hit their straps. Fixtures like this are never well priced, with a home win only 11/20, but there doesn’t seem to be much else on offer.
Polokwane City vs Chippa United | Saturday 06 December | Old Peter Mokaba Stadium | 20:15
Polokwane City have now won four out of their last five fixtures, with just a draw to Chiefs blemishing their perfect record. Similarly, Chippa are on a run of note, sitting in outright third spot, just a point off Ajax in second. It makes for an intriguing Saturday night clash. Polokwane will use their home ground advantage, but also sport the poorest defence in the league, which Chippa will want to exploit. In what could be a fiery affair, picking an outright result could be tricky. I’d fancy a Both Teams To Score bet to take advantage of the above facts, whilst leaving the stress of picking a side alone. Get it at even money.
Ajax Cape Town vs Supersport United | Sunday 07 December | Athlone Stadium | 15:30
Ajax consolidated second spot on Wednesday with an acceptable 1-1 draw away to Swallows. It seems their tactic is to snatch a point away and use the influence of home games to go for the win. SuperSport’s slightly more gung-ho attitude saw them go down away at Sundowns, leaving them in eleventh spot. This will be the pick of the two Sunday clashes, and SuperSport should prove tricky customers for the Urban Warriors. You’d fancy the home side to not lose, but SuperSport could well use the pedigree of this clash to snatch a point. Without being too risky, a Home Draw No Bet is at 9/20, and looks the market to go for here.
Bloemfontein Celtic vs Bidvest Wits | Sunday 07 December | Free State Stadium | 15:30
Celtic went down by a goal to their fellow Free Staters, bringing a slight stutter to what was a great run of results prior. They took advantage of weaker opponents and managed to rack up ten points from their previous five games. Wits have also hit a speed bump of late. Back-to-back wins in November were the only highlights in a clump of successive losses on either side of that. The sides are separated by just four points and could both do with a win. Both are averaging one goal scored and one conceded per game, and this could see a tight affair with few balls hitting the back of the net. Under 2.5 Goals is at 11/20, and could be the best way to play this fixture.
8-leg PSL Multiple Price – 124/1
