With this week’s second round of clashes to focus on, and most results having gone the way of predictions, the biggest surprise would undoubtedly be the amount of goals scored in mid-week by PSL standards. Whether it be teams finding their straps, the new ball or just a stroke of luck, it may be something to consider in future predictions. For entertainment value, let’s hope they keep it up. All sides will again be in action over the weekend, the marquee fixture undoubtedly the clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Matsatsantsa on Saturday evening.
Bidvest Wits vs Moroka Swallows | Friday 29 August | Bidvest Stadium | 20:00
Wits were outdone in the closing quarter of their mid-week game against Ajax, with a flurry of late goals sealing their fate. Swallows hosted a five-goal thriller and came from 2-1 down to win, courtesy of an 80th minute Lerato Chabangu strike. Despite the contrasting results, both sides are in top form, making this a game not to be missed. A win for Wits last night would have put them on the top of the log instead of Ajax, and this frustration should fuel the fire for a great contest. Although Wits have dominated encounters between the sides of late, I foresee a closer contest with Swallows in form. Opt for over 2.5 goals to find somewhere safe to lay your pennies.
Chippa United vs Ajax Cape Town | Friday 29 August | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium | 20:00
Until commercial agreements saw Chippa relocate to Port Elizabeth, this one would have been classified a Cape Town derby. Ajax impressed on Tuesday night, with Chippa getting handed a lesson in top flight football by Maritzburg United. After beating Platinum Stars on opening day, it’s proved an uphill battle for the hosts in the league. Last season I wouldn’t have put a dime on Ajax at home, let alone away, but you’ve got to feel like the winning habit will take them across the line in this fixture. An away win normally rewards the brave in PSL punting, so go on, do your thing, and hope the Urban Warriors continue on this new path of success.
Free State Stars vs Maritzburg United | Saturday 30 August | Goble Park | 15:00
History favours the home side in this one. Maritzburg have never won in Bethlehem, scoring just three times in six outings against Stars. In fact, in their last twelve meetings, they’ve only ever won once. Stars have had their usual stuttered start to the campaign, with their tough run of games having a lot to do with their meager points tally. They’ll need to be at their best to maintain their stern home record. It might not be an outright victory but I fancy Stars to pick up at least a point at Goble Park. The Home/Draw double chance is the best way to take advantage.
Polokwane City vs Orlando Pirates | Saturday 30 August | Peter Mokaba Stadium | 15:00
It’s still early days, but management at Polokwane City will have been filled with a somewhat false sense of superiority as they prepared to host Orlando Pirates, with the visitors below them in the league until last night’s victory. Pirates have impressed in cup competitions over the last two years, but have been devoid of consistent league form since winning the title in 2011/12. They travel north in a bid to build on their resounding away victory at defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, and I’m hoping this provides them with the chance to do so. The outcome of this fixture is more determined upon Bucs’ ability to close it out rather than what Polokwane City can bring to the table. An away win for me here, it’s about time the Sea Robbers begin coming home with the bounty.
Kaizer Chiefs vs SuperSport United | Saturday 30 August | FNB Stadium | 20:15
Chiefs are back to being the steam train we’ve come to expect. With the mature squad they have, they can afford to rest on their experience for now, and it seems they are taking full advantage of it. This will be labeled as a big clash, despite Supersport’s sluggish start to the season. Reviewing this solely based on current form would be naïve, but it’s hard to ignore the polarity of the two teams’ performances. With Chiefs having the advantage of hosting affairs to add fuel to their fire, in truth anything less than a home win in this one would be a god-forsaken travesty.
Mpumalanga Black Aces vs University of Pretoria | Saturday 30 August | Mbombela Stadium | 20:15
Only goal difference separates AmaTuks from the Aces, and this bunched lower half of the table means tight games and small margins between three points and nothing. I’d like to think an away win is a bridge too far for Tukkies here, but in truth it’s possible considering the fact that Aces had failed to win in their last six encounters in all formats before beating SuperSport away from home. I don’t want to like the varsity side, purely because professional club outfits shouldn’t be competing at this level with a largely unfunded team, but give credit where it’s due. Their head-to-head record is very tight, and picking a winner proves difficult. Neither side has been profitable in front of goal, so under 2.5 goals is probably the only way to slice this cake.
Mamelodi Sundowns vs AmaZulu | Sunday 31 August | Loftus Stadium | 15:00
Downs haven’t got off to the start one would expect from the defending champions. As usual, they spent their off-season buying like a housewife on a sample sale and it hasn’t produced the dividends they’d hoped for. Luckily for them, AmaZulu haven’t done much either. It’s still early to write either side off, and both have the capability to bounce back. I think the biggest determining factor here will be the flashback to this time last year, where Downs handed AmaZulu a monster 7-1 defeat in merciless fashion. Coming back from that is difficult, and drawing on inspiration from that day should see Downs across the line in this one.
Platinum Stars vs Bloemfontein Celtic | Sunday 31 August | Royal Bafokeng Stadium | 15:00
Stars have done an average job in their opening quartet of games. Considering the dropped points, they should be sitting up top with Ajax and Co. Celtic have been on par with expectations and find themselves down south on the log far earlier than they’d like to be. The possibility of them facing the drop is a common occurrence most seasons, and grabbing points where possible is of utmost importance. Dikwena aren’t going to offer the generosity Celtic need at this point, and I fancy them notching up a win at Royal Bafokeng to end off the weekend.
The man knows his football, but even he gets it wrong from time to time. Feel free to share your PSL tips and multiples below.
