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ABSA Premiership Week 8 Preview

Written by The Caretaker Coach for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!  

Prior to jumping straight back into league action after a lengthy international break, Bafana Bafana must be commended on an impressive unbeaten run in their AFCON qualifiers so far. They’re the closest they’ve been to qualifying for the AFCON in years, and not through an easy group either. Let’s all get behind our boys for the final round of fixtures in November. Having said that, its PSL time again, so lets get to it.

Moroka Swallows vs Mpumalanga Black Aces | Saturday 18 October | Dobsonville Stadium | 15:00
Although they started the season like a house on fire, Swallows have had a rough time of things lately. Losing the last four on the trot is poor as it is, but they’ve conceded eleven goals in those games, a sign of worse things to come. They come up against a Black Aces sides level on points with them but in a richer vein of form. Goals are also hard to come by for the Mpumalanga side, meaning this could be the dullest of games you’ll find. In good spirit I hope they prove me wrong and put on a show, but my go-to PSL bet of Under 2.5 goals at 6/10 looks the best way to cash in.

University of Pretoria vs SuperSport United | Saturday 18 October | Tuks Stadium | 15:30
Both sides in this one are underperforming by PSL standards, but for entirely different reasons. AmaTuks still look too weak to make the top sides think twice, and are struggling to string together points-gaining performances. The top flight will always seem a struggle for them. Conversely, SuperSport were performing well below par but since their mid-season hiring and firing, they’ve notched up three wins on the trot in all competitions. This confidence should boost them in this fixture and backing an away side in the PSL always provides healthy odds. Get Matsatsantsa for an away win at 12/10.

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Bidvest Wits | Saturday 18 October | Loftus Stadium | 18:00
Sundowns have had a relatively slow start to their PSL campaign, but have pulled things back nicely with three wins on the trot, four in all competitions. Their 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Pirates looks a distant memory. They come up against an equally confident side in Wits, who sit on the same points and goal difference as Downs at this stage. This clash will be a must-watch, but from a betting perspective, it seems Downs will have the upper hand. They’ve only lost once to Wits at home, so despite their performances being on par thus far, I tend to see Downs pulling away from them on the log with a home win on Saturday afternoon. At even money a win, it could be the value bet of the weekend. Get involved.

AmaZulu vs Chippa United | Saturday 18 October | Princess Magogo Stadium | 18:00
If you asked me at the beginning of the season where I thought these sides would be sitting at this stage, it would’ve been entirely opposite to the current situation. AmaZulu are rock bottom, sitting on three points with a minus seven goal difference. Chippa, on the flip side, will be happy with their 10-point yield from their opening seven games, including an impressive 1-0 win last time out at home to Pirates. They travel to Durban knowing full well they’re facing a struggling side without a head coach, and more importantly, without a league win this season. Chippa are slight favourites in this one at 14/10, but I’d play a little safer with a Draw No Bet at 13/20. Dark times ahead for Usuthu.




Orlando Pirates vs Free State Stars | Saturday 18 October | Orlando Stadium | 20:15
Sitting fifth and sixth respectively, Pirates and Stars are keeping themselves ahead of the chasing pack. Both sides have had their highs and lows thus far, with the pedigree of Pirates obviously expected to see them continue in this fashion. Stars will be hopeful that they can maintain this above average position ahead of a tight bunched mid-table. The challenge they face is trying to leave Orlando Stadium on Saturday with at least a point. Stars’ record there isn’t great; their only win at the venue came in extra time in cup competition in 2012. Whilst I’m sure Pirates will face adequate resistance from Stars, I can’t see it being enough to upset the Buccaneers. There isn’t much value in a 5/10 home win, so a Pirates-Pirates halftime-fulltime double at 13/10 seems worthwhile.

Maritzburg United vs Platinum Stars | Saturday 18 October | Harry Gwala Stadium | 20:15
Dikwena will be highly upset with their dismal start to the season. A measly eight points from seven games doesn’t bode well for a Top 4 finish that they should be capable of. Maritzburg United have surprised me somewhat. After just missing relegation last season, and no real effort in the off season to change things, I didn’t expect to see them sitting eighth. It’s still early days however, and you have to feel things will change for both sides. Stars travel to KZN with a healthy record away in the province’s capital. Four wins and a draw from seven outings is outstanding by PSL standards and this may count in their favour, unlike their current form. I would place two bets here, one on the Stars/Draw Double Chance at 15/20 and another on the Stars Draw No Bet at 18/10. Only a Maritzburg win, something they’ve only managed twice in seven games at home, will ruin your day.

Ajax Cape Town vs Kaizer Chiefs | Sunday 19 October | Cape Town Stadium | 15:30
Chiefs remain on a perfect record after seven games, with a maximum 21-point yield for their efforts. Utterly dominant in all fixtures, they now face their biggest challenge to date. Roger De Sa’s Urban Warriors host the AmaKhosi in a first versus second humdinger fit for any football fanatic’s Sunday afternoon pleasure. I still think Ajax will struggle, despite the home ground advantage, but RDS’s days at the helm of Bucs could give them a chance against his former Soweto rivals. It’s not often you’ll get an in-form Chiefs side at 14/10 a win, but I think the bookies see the potential Ajax have to upset things in Cape Town. Stuart Baxter will have his AmaKhosi at full strength for this one, so I’m backing them to maintain their 100% record this season.

Bloemfontein Celtic v Polokwane City | Sunday 19 October | Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium | 15:30
This fixture would battle to garner attention at the best of times, but being played at the same time as a top-of-the-table clash means it may well go completely unnoticed. Except by punters. Celtic and City sit fourteenth and fifteenth respectively, with nothing really to show from their seven games so far. Celtic have never lost this fixture, either home or away, so this may provide some statistical relief for the Bloem faithful. They’ll be hosting this one hoping things go to plan and Polokwane City leave with nothing. This will require them to pick up just their second win of the season. It is achievable and at even money well worth having a go. Good luck.

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.

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