We look ahead at four mouth-watering betting prospects for the next week including the MTN8 semi-final first-leg encounters as well as Manchester United's and Arsenal's respective trips to Brighton and Aston Villa.
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Here we preview four games and share our suggested bets for each. Remember to add them to your own bet slip and opt-in on the promotions page for all of your qualifying bets to be entered into the draw!
We kick off the weekend action on England’s south coast where Brighton play host to Manchester United. The Seagulls are top of the pops after an opening-day demolition of Everton. Later on the day Arsenal head to Villa Park to face the side that derailed their title challenge last season.
On the local front, the MTN8 continues with the first legs of the semi-finals next week. On Tuesday Orlando Pirates face off against Cape Town City before Sundowns and Stellenbosch lock horns on Wednesday.
Saturday 24 August
Brighton 15/10 | Draw 47/20 | Manchester United 33/20
Imagine teleporting back to 1997 and telling someone that Brighton would be favourites in a Premier League clash against Manchester United? You’d be laughed out of the pub, but here we are!
The Seagulls eased past Everton at Goodison last week as Fabian Hürzeler – the youngest manager in Premier League history at 31 – enjoyed a dream start to his tenure on the South Coast. The 3-0 win highlighted the stark contrast in each club’s trajectories, with Everton looking in danger of dropping out of the league in their last season at Goodison Park.
Manchester United, meanwhile, squeaked to a 1-o win at home against Fulham on Friday evening. This was not the fluid display that Erik ten Hag would have wanted, with new signing Joshua Zirkee scoring in the 87th minute.
The tension that had built over the last hour-and-a-half melted away in an instant, but Ten Hag will know that a similar performance at the Amex this weekend could see them lose early ground in the race for the top four.
Suggested Bet: Brighton/Draw Over 1.5 @ 7/10
Brighton looked full value of their win on the weekend and should – in the comfort of home surrounds – find the back of the net against Manchester United. Their attacking fluidity should cause ten Hag’s men all sorts of trouble.
You’d also not bet against United finding the back of the net. There is so much individual quality within their ranks that someone invariably engineers a scoring chance from nothing.
We think Brighton will win this game or it will end in a scoring draw. 7/10 for Brighton/Draw and Over 1.5 Goals is the play here. Certainly one of the multiples.
Aston Villa 33/10 | Draw 49/20 | Arsenal 8/10
We’re off to Birmingham next for what should be a feisty clash between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park. Mikel Arteta will hope it’s third time lucky this time after finishing second in the last two editions of the Premier League.
They got off to a decent start, winning 2-0 at home against Wolves. This time, however, the Gunners face a far sterner test in the form of Aston Villa. The Midlands club finished fourth last season, qualifying for the Champions League as Unai Emery continues to transform the club after Steven Gerrard’s disastrous stint at the helm.
Suggested bet: Arsenal win @ 8/10
Arsenal, battle-hardened after going toe-to-toe with Manchester City in the last two seasons, are favourites for all of the right reasons here. Arteta has stuck with the core of the squad that pushed City all the way last season with only Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori arriving in the summer so far.
Make no mistake, Aston Villa will be a tough nut to crack this season but Saturday evening’s encounter should prove too tough of a task for this talented but limited side.
Tuesday 27 August
CT City 5/2 | Draw 22/10 | Orlando Pirates 1/1
A much-changed Cape Town City will be hoping their host of new signings will quickly integrate into Eric Tinkler’s squad to spring a surprise over opponents Orlando Pirates in their two-legged MTN8 semi-final. The Citizens have completed 11 signings in preparation for the 2024/25 campaign including the addition of Haashim Domingo, Kamo Mokotjo and Fortune Makaringe. Frenchman Amadou Soukouna is the Cape side’s latest signing to add firepower to their attacking department.
“We’re excited about the season, and there are a lot of promising signs, a confident Tinkler said. The Citizens peaked as high as second position in the league standings last season, before a late dip as they finished in fifth position. Tinkler’s side though are capable of beating anyone on their day as they showed when they ended Mamelodi Sundowns’ winning streak and invincible attempt on the final day of the 23/24 season. Pirates beware, on their day CT City can pose a threat to any side.
Arguably the form side going into the 2024/25 season. That’s a bold statement to make when Sundowns have won the last seven league titles. However, a recent poll showed fans tipping the Buccaneers as league favourites, which shows the possible turning of the tide. Excellent coaching led by Jose Riveiro, and astute signings over recent transfer windows alongside a talented squad have seen the Sea Robbers haul in Sundowns as the premium side in South African football.
Riveiro arguably has the best attacking trio in the country in former Player of the Season Monnapule Saleng and emerging star Relebohile Mofokeng dovetailing with golden boot winner Tshegofatso Mabasa. Other stars include Patrick Maswanganyi, Zakhele Lepasa and Thalente Mbatha. At Pirates, they’re not just talented but their names even sound cool too.
Suggested bet: Pirates to win @ 1/1
The reigning MTN8 winners will be aiming to make it a hat-trick of top-eight titles when they face the Citizens. The Buccaneers will be out to send a statement to the rest of the SA teams that they deserve their tag as favourites and are out to begin their own reign of dominance.
Wednesday 28 August
Sundowns 5/10 | Draw 5/2 | Stellenbosch 6/1
On paper and measured in certain metrics, can Stellenbosch be considered the best-run club in South African football? A state-of-the-art sports science institute, a philosophy of promoting homegrown talent alongside a unique counter-attacking playing style that complements those homegrown players. Steve Barker has served as head coach since 2017 in a period of success highlighted by continuity.
Barker is by a long way the manager who has served in one position at a top-flight club. Despite also continually having their best players poached by the big boys, Stellies finished last season in an impressive third spot thanks to an inferior goal difference.
In coming up against the mighty Sundowns, Stellies will be aiming to take another step forward in their development as a club. Barker will be hoping that making the right football decisions can trump the riches of the money-spinning Brazilians in their David versus Goliath clash.
As common in South African football, much has also changed at champions Sundowns. A new-look technical team has been formed under the stewardship of Monqoba Mngqithi, alongside Steve Kompela and Romain Folz. The Brazilians have also made some key signings – instead of flashy additions – alongside some big-name outgoings.
Masandawana will be desperate to get the MTN8 monkey off their back and finally lift that elusive piece of silverware.
They’ll also want to remind the pretenders to their throne alongside all-comers that they remain the benchmark in South African football. The worrying thing for all the other teams is that Sundowns, under technical director Flemming Berg, may now be even better in making astute football decisions instead of striving for excellence on the back of their bank balance.
Suggested bet: Sundowns to win @ 5/10
For all of Stellies’ strengths, you simply can’t look past Sundowns here. The back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back (this just drives home their dominance) PSL champions should get the job done at home against the men from the Winelands.
