A bumper weekend of top fixtures meant some tight games amongst the leading sides, and some looser encounters amongst those still trying to make their mark on the season. With little time to rest for those sides reeling from weekend defeats, we could see much of the same during a slew of midweek clashes. The big question at this early stage of the season is who will be the side to halt Chiefs’ winning streak? Amakhosi have played eight, won eight and few look able to stop them in their bid for a season full of success.
Mpumalanga Black Aces vs Orlando Pirates | Tuesday 21 October | Mbombela Stadium | 19:30
I predicted Black Aces would have a good season under Clive Barker, and after a slow start it seems things are beginning to look up. A great 3-2 away win at Swallows on the weekend saw them extend their unbeaten run to five in the league and represents a promising sign of things to come. Pirates squeaked a 1-0 win at home to Free State Stars in typically unconvincing fashion. Having all the possession and territory is one thing, but Bucs’ lack of finishing ability is probably their biggest stumbling block. Tuesday night’s clash should be goodie and Aces will feel they can snatch a point or more at home. Both Teams To Score at 13/10 seems the best bet available here.
Free State Stars vs AmaZulu | Wednesday 22 October | FNB Stadium | 18:00
Stars went down narrowly away from home to Pirates and although they were never really in the game, one chance converted could easily have brought them a point for their travels. Meanwhile, at coachless AmaZulu, things are going from bad to worse. Still sitting rock bottom, their loss to Chippa on the weekend was probably their most attainable win in sight. Considering AmaZulu were sitting pretty in the PSL this time last year, it’s been a turnaround in form of biblical proportions. I don’t see much light at the end of the tunnel for the Durban side and until they start winning again it’s hard to put any money of them. A home win seems the mostly likely at 7/10 and that’s enough value to make it worthwhile. Get on.
Kaizer Chiefs vs Moroka Swallows | Wednesday 22 October | FNB Stadium | 19:30
After a month of PSL action this season, I had originally looked to this game for Swallows to pick up an upset. Local derbies always dish up some action, but of late Swallows have looked terribly unmotivated, especially at the back. Conceding three goals at the weekend at home highlighted this glaring weakness and going to visit a side like Chiefs isn’t going to help matters. The Amakhosi have extended their 100% win streak to a record-breaking fifteen in all competitions, and unless the Dube Birds have learnt to tighten up at the back overnight, even a half-baked Chiefs side will pick up three points here. A home win here is the only possible option, put the 3/10 on offer as a banker in your multiple.
University of Pretoria vs Bloemfontein Celtic | Wednesday 22 October | Tuks Stadium | 19:30
Celtic romped to a much-needed 5-1 win against Polokwane City on Sunday afternoon. Although over-shadowed by the top of the table clash in Cape Town, they certainly didn’t disappoint the few that followed the game. AmaTuks didn’t have the same joy sadly, continuing their season’s woes with a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of a resurgent SuperSport United. It means that, although the only thing separating these two sides to date is Celtic’s weekend win, AmaTuks will go into this one the less confident of the two. The odds may slightly favour the away side, but not by much. I would consider looking at a Bloem Celtic or Draw Double Chance at 3/10, covering yourself in the event of a stalemate.
Ajax Cape Town vs Platinum Stars | Wednesday 22 October | Cape Town Stadium | 19:30
Many non-Chiefs supporters would’ve been rooting for Ajax to upset their now record-breaking win streak, and to be fair they weren’t far from doing just that. Now tied with a few sides in second spot, they’ll want to cash in against Stars on Wednesday night. Dikwena’s backroom politics are severely hampering performances on the pitch, evidenced in their 3-1 loss at the hands of an average Maritzburg United side on Saturday. Being at home again will suit the Urban Warriors and I’d fancy them to dodge defeat against a side that in previous seasons would’ve posed a much greater threat. A home win provides sufficient value at 7/10, get on.
SuperSport United vs Maritzburg United | Wednesday 22 October | Lucas Moripe Stadium | 19:30
Matsatsantsa seem back to their old winning ways under new coach Gordon Igesund. There seems to be a great vibe in the camp, and this shows in their recent results. Four wins on the trot and gaining in confidence will put the Pretoria side’s faithful at ease. Maritzburg grabbed their first win in almost two months on the weekend over a weak Platinum Stars side, and it would’ve been just the result they need ahead of their trip to SuperSport midweek. Even with this recent burst in confidence, I can still see it being an uphill struggle for the KZN side. SuperSport will be more bullish than ever this season, and I don’t seem them upsetting their streak of wins in this clash. You’ll get a little more value than usual for a home win, based on SuperSport’s poor start to the season, but nonetheless use the 9/10 as a banker bet in exotics.
Bidvest Wits vs Polokwane City | Wednesday 22 October | Bidvest Stadium | 19:30
Chalk and cheese is the go-to cliché for these two sides. Polokwane’s thumping at the weekend to a somewhat meek Bloem Celtic side highlighted their current woes. AmaZulu are all that separates them from rock bottom, and to make things worse, they come up against a Wits side in a rich vein of form. A tense goalless draw away to Sundowns on Saturday would’ve been well received by a side that may previously have expected to leave a venue like Loftus with nothing. Being at home, and sitting comfortably joint-second, they’ll want to use this game as a chance to pull away from the chasing pack. Polokwane City won’t likely provide any resistance here, and it will take a PSL-esque upset to prevent punters from cashing in on a home win at 5/10 here.
Chippa United vs Mamelodi Sundowns | Wednesday 22 October | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium | 19:30
Chippa have been the surprise package of the PSL season thus far, sitting a point off second spot and not letting the pressures of top flight footy get to them. Another good win for them on the weekend against a poor AmaZulu is three points nonetheless, and they’ll hopefully go into this game with their usual fearlessness. Sundowns have been good value for their unbeaten run since their 3-0 loss to Pirates back in August and are gaining the momentum that should come naturally to a side of their statue. Oozing talent and squad depth, Downs should see this as a standard three-pointer, but will be weary of Chippa’s bright start. Having said that, lumping your hard earned pennies on a Downs win would be foolish, but look to the home side to keep a clean sheet. They may still end up drawing the game, but Chippa will struggle to break down a defence that hasn’t leaked in 360 minutes of PSL football. Bet against Both Teams to Score at 6/10.
8-Leg PSL Multiple Price: 514/10
