It was entertaining as usual in the DStv Premiership as plenty of upsets occurred last weekend, while some thoughtless refereeing decisions spoilt some of the heavyweight bouts last round, particularly in the tie between Orlando Pirates and Swallows FC.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Their 1-1 draw at Orlando Stadium maintained Swallows’ unbeaten run, alongside Golden Arrows and Mamelodi Sundowns, who fought off Chippa United and Baroka respectively. This weekend, there’s plenty to feast our eyes upon. Saturday, SuperSport United and Sundowns lock horns in the Tshwane derby, while Cape Town City host Kaizer Chiefs later on the same day. On Sunday, Benni McCarthy gets another taste of local rivalry when AmaZulu host Maritzburg United in the KZN derby.
Saturday 16 January
17/10 SuperSport United | Draw 2/1 | Mamelodi Sundowns 16/10 (15:00)
At the time of writing, SuperSport United are unbeaten in five DStv Premiership matches, claiming four wins in that period. They face a Bloemfontein Celtic side in midweek which could see them leapfrog Swallows in second spot, which could set this tie up to be a top of the table clash come Saturday. That is, of course, dependant on SuperSport’s journey on Wednesday.
Mamelodi Sundowns will be looking to do what Kaizer Chiefs failed to achieve last season and lead the standings from start to finish. So far, Sundowns have been rampant in their title defence, winning seven of their 10 matches played so far, scoring 19 times – more than any other team in the division. This has been known as one of the most one-sided derbies with Sundowns tipped to claim bragging rights over their Tshwane rivals.
7/10 Golden Arrows | 28/10 | Tshakhuma FC 32/10 (15:00)
Golden Arrows continued to climb up the DStv Premiership standings with an important 1-0 victory over Chippa United this past weekend. That result ensured Mandla Ncikazi’s men remain unbeaten after their first nine matches in the league and now look like a side ready to become a mainstay in the top eight. Tshakhuma’s struggles off the pitch seem to be taking its toll on the field as the Limpopo-based side are winless in their last five league outings. There’s also talk of the club being up for sale again and players going on strike. Arrows are a banker here.
31/20 TS Galaxy | 47/20 | Chippa United 31/20 (15:30)
It’s looking like an early relegation battle as TS Galaxy lock horns with Chippa United this Saturday. The Rockets are winless in eight league matches and have scored just seven goals this term – no team has scored less in the DStv Premiership. They’ll be hoping to turn their fortunes around under Owen Da Gama as they face their former coach in Dan Malesela who is once again at the reigns of Chippa United. The Chilli Boys are without victory in seven matches and haven’t shown any signs of a comeback under ‘Dan Dance’. I’ll take the risk and back TS Galaxy to come out on top.
29/20 Bloemfontein Celtic | 22/10 | Stellenbosch 18/10 (15:30)
Bloemfontein Celtic are starting to feel the heat now in the DStv Premiership after a run of poor results in the league. Siwelele are winless in three games at the time of writing and have conceded goals too easily for John Maduka’s liking. Since their defeat in the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates, Celtic have won just once. Stellenbosch have gone under the radar and are slowly establishing themselves as a top eight team and are unbeaten in three matches. Celtic are still a tough side on their day and could produce anything in this tie. My money is on a share of the spoils.
2/1 Baroka | 49/20 | Swallows 23/20 (17:00)
Things look to be getting worse for Baroka before they get better as Matsimela Thoka’s side take on Swallows so soon after facing Mamelodi Sundowns. The hosts started the campaign like a house on fire but have since been disappointing, enduring a four-game winless run, losing three times in that period. Swallows have been the talk of the town this term after their emphatic start, winning six of their opening 10 matches. The Dube Birds are two points off Sundowns and considering they’ve already played Kaizer Chiefs, Cape Town City and Orlando Pirates, Swallows look more than capable of competing for a CAF spot. I can only see one winner, and that’s certainly not Baroka.
5/4 Cape Town City | 49/20 | Kaizer Chiefs 21/10 (17:00)
In arguably the game of the weekend, Cape Town City host Kaizer Chiefs at the Cape Town Stadium, looking to put further misery on Gavin Hunt and Amakhosi. Chiefs start the week one point above the relegation zone and face AmaZulu in midweek. Something just doesn’t look right with the Glamour Boys and this run of results is not something we would usually associate with Hunt, but Chiefs are in relegation form at the moment. Cape Town City have been goal crazy in the league, and its crazy to imagine that even though they’ve scored twice in each of their last two matches, City have still failed to win both ties. Cape Town City have scored a minimum of two goals in each of their last five encounters and will definitely fancy their chances against an embattled Chiefs team. I like the look of Over 2.5 Goals in this one, but for the brave punters, I suggest taking City to win.
Sunday 17 January
14/10 AmaZulu | 39/20 | Maritzburg United 23/10 (15:30)
Benni McCarthy will be looking to claim bragging rights when
his AmaZulu side take on Ernst Middendorp’s Maritzburg United in the KZN derby.
Both coaches are fairly new at their respective clubs but have already
instilled their blueprint, which has seen both AmaZulu and Maritzburg United
earn a few impressive results in recent weeks, particularly the Team of Choice,
where Middendorp got one over his former employers, Kaizer Chiefs, to send
Maritzburg ahead of Amakhosi on the table. Personally, I’ve liked the look
of both clubs in recent outings, so it’s tough to separate the pair with a draw
tipped at Kings Park.
24/10 Black Leopards | 23/10 | Orlando Pirates 23/20
(15:30)
The second of Orlando Pirates’ double header at Thohoyandou
Stadium closes off gameweek 11 as Josef Zinnbauer’s men face Black Leopards
after a tricky test against Tshakhuma in midweek. Pirates have won just three
matches from their opening nine games and look to have ruled themselves out of
any early title talk. Of course, it is still early days and anything can change,
but Pirates haven’t given any indication to suggest they’re ready to mount a
title charge. Black Leopards lie rock bottom of the standings and are without a
win in five league matches. It won’t be done with much confidence, but I’ll
put my money on Pirates.
TREBLE @ 8/1
Sundowns Win 17/10
Golden Arrows Win 7/10
Swallows Win 11/10
Written by Jesse Nagel.
