After a short break for an entertaining MTN8 final, the ABSA Premiership returns! Newly promoted Chippa United recorded their second victory of the season last time out and with a draw already under the belt, are sitting mid-table. Chiefs have yet to drop a point and already, at this early stage of the season, have laid down a statement of vicious intent. The top three is rounded off by Ajax Cape Town and Orlando Pirates, who both look to keep their collective heads above water as Bidvest Wits and champions Sundowns breath down their necks in fourth and fifth respectively.
Bidvest Wits vs AmaZulu | Friday 26 September | Bidvest Stadium | 20:00
Wits and AmaZulu get the PSL back underway on Friday night. Wits are coming off a 1-0 loss away to Orlando Pirates but are firm favourites at home – where they have done well – against the bottom of the log side. The Clever Boys are unbeaten from their three home games thus far, racking up two wins and scoring five goals while staying solid by conceding just once. AmaZulu are the only team in the league without a win. Wits have beaten AmaZulu in the last two meetings and should make it three here. Take the 5/10 on offer.
Free State Stars vs Moroka Swallows | Saturday 27 September | Goble Park | 15:00
Free State Stars will host Moroka Swallows on Saturday afternoon as both sides look to bounce back from losses last time out. Free State Stars suffered their third defeat, losing 2-1 away to Ajax. Prior to that match Stars were on a good run, claiming seven points from three matches. Swallows went down 2-0 to Chippa, marking their third loss, but sit in seventh spot after managing three wins from their six matches. Swallows have dominated previous head-to-head encounters winning twelve of the sixteen meetings, losing just twice. Free State Stars have been inconsistent at home and the draw looks the way to go at 21/10.
Mpumalanga Black Aces vs Ajax Cape Town | Saturday 27 September | Mbombela Stadium | 15:00
Black Aces will host in-form Ajax Cape Town, who sit second on the log with four wins and two draws. Aces have managed to get some points on the board of late after a bad start to the league. They managed a 2-1 win over SuperSport United three games ago and followed that up with two goalless draws. This is promising form considering they have capable strikers Tendai Ndoro and Collins Mbesuma who could complement their good defence against Ajax. Ajax have a young team and it’s surely a matter of time before they taste defeat. Aces managed a 2-0 win against Ajax in the league back in May and could do similar here. Get on Black Aces at 27/10.
Chippa United vs Orlando Pirates | Saturday 27 September | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium | 15:00
Chippa can count themselves unlucky that they face an Orlando Pirates side fresh off a cup final defeat to their rivals. Pirates will be out for blood. Chippa have been inconsistent at home while Pirates have scored eight goals on the road in three matches, conceding just twice. Pirates have won three matches in a row in the league and won their last two away games 3-0. The away win is tipped at 8/10.
Kaizer Chiefs vs Maritzburg United | Saturday 27 September | FNB Stadium | 20:15
The MTN8 champions are looking invincible this season. AmaKhosi have a 100% win record in the league and also won all four of their MTN8 matches. That’s ten wins from ten matches for those counting and what’s even more impressive is that they have conceded just two goals in those games, scoring twenty. Maritzburg earned only a draw at home to Black Aces last time out and are yet to win on the road. Chiefs won this fixture 2-0 last season and are firm favourites to do it again at 11/20.
SuperSport United vs Bloemfontein Celtic | Saturday 27 September | Lucas Moripe Stadium | 20:15
Gordon Igesund got off to a winning start in his first game in charge of SuperSport United as Matsatsantsa came back from a goal down to beat Platinum Stars 3-1 at home. Bloem Celtic were beaten 1-0 at home by champions Sundowns. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Igesund work his magic and transform this SuperSport team into a title challenger this season. Both encounters between these sides ended in 1-1 draws last season. SuperSport are tipped to edge the win this time around at a healthy 9/10.
Platinum Stars vs University of Pretoria | Sunday 28 September | Royal Bafokeng Stadium | 15:00
Two of a few teams who are finding scoring goals hard to come by will clash looking to make up for their under par performances. Platinum Stars’ recent form reads Loss, Draw, Loss. Losses against Chiefs and SuperSport and only a draw at home to Celtic, besides being demolished by Chiefs in the MTN8, means Dikwena need three points. They couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity as they host one of last season’s poorest travellers. AmaTuks lost ten of their fifteen away games last season, scoring only six goals and conceding sixteen. Unsurprisingly, University of Pretoria’s recent form reads the same but it’s more likely that will lead to another loss. Back Platinum Stars at 9/10.
Polokwane City vs Mamelodi Sundowns | Sunday 28 September | Peter Mokaba Stadium | 15:00
League champions Mamelodi Sundowns are getting back to their best and have a perfect chance to add to their good form when they clash with minnows Polokwane City. After losing four matches in a row, Polokwane earned a point at home to AmaZulu in their last match. Their defence have failed to keep the goals out, conceding twelve – the most in the league. Sundowns have won three of their last four matches and they look a confident bet here at 7/10.
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.
