This week promises to be an exciting one as we get treated to DStv Premiership action with six games to feast our eyes upon in midweek. In terms of a six-pointer, it doesn’t get any bigger than the clash between Maritzburg United and Black Leopards as the league’s two bottom-placed teams lock horns on Tuesday.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Elsewhere, Cape Town City seek revenge over Chippa United, while Orlando Pirates meet Bloemfontein Celtic in a repeat of this season’s MTN8 final.
Standings provided by SofaScore LiveScore
Tuesday 2 March
29/20 Maritzburg United | Draw 43/20 | Black Leopards 2/1 (17:00)
Black Leopards have shown some encouraging signs in their past couple of games and are currently off the back of a two-match winning streak across the league and Nedbank Cup. Leopards have beaten Golden Arrows and then knocked AmaZulu out of the cup in their last two ties, so they’ll be hoping of completing the KZN treble at Harry Gwala. Maritzburg United are on a four-game losing streak in the DStv Premiership and come off the back of a 3-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup. I fancy Leopards here.
7/10 Orlando Pirates | 5/2 | Bloemfontein Celtic 44/10 (17:00)
Orlando Pirates will be hoping to emulate their last result over Bloemfontein Celtic, where the Buccaneers beat John Maduka’s side 2-1 in the MTN8 final. Now, Siwelele are still without a victory in seven away games in the DStv Premiership, while Orlando Pirates’ unbeaten run at home remains intact. On the weekend, Pirates showed their quality to come from behind to beat Maritzburg United 3-1. My money is on Josef Zinnbauer’s side.
31/10 TS Galaxy | 9/4 | Swallows 19/20 (17:00)
Swallows have been slapped by reality in recent months. After a blistering start to the campaign, the Dube Birds now find themselves on a run of five consecutive draws in the DStv Premiership and were dumped out of the Nedbank Cup this past weekend via a penalty shootout against Tshakhuma. TS Galaxy are in a decent run of form and are unbeaten in their last four league games. Since the arrival of Owen Da Gama, the Rockets have looked like a force to be reckoned with. It may seem bold, but I’m backing a first defeat of the campaign for Swallows.
19/10 AmaZulu | 43/20 | SuperSport United 31/20 (17:00)
AmaZulu’s glorious unbeaten streak came to an end as Benni McCarthy’s side were eliminated out of the Nedbank Cup, losing 1-0 to Black Leopards. Usuthu are, however, unbeaten in the league in seven matches and return to their homeland in Durban, where they have won their last two encounters, beating Stellenbosch and Bloemfontein Celtic. SuperSport United have done well to keep themselves in a title race, although there’ll certainly be a bit of disappointment in the Matsatsantsa camp after winning just one of their last five league ties. Its hard to have any confidence in SuperSport United due to their inconsistencies, so I’ll put my money on AmaZulu to Win or Draw at 9/20.
Wednesday 3 March
43/20 Chippa United | 43/20 | Cape Town City 13/10 (15:00)
Cape Town City will be plotting their revenge after Chippa United caused an upset in the Nedbank Cup to knock Jan Olde Riekerink’s side out of the tournament. The Chilli Boys endured a three-game unbeaten run in all their games played in the Eastern Cape in February and will be high on confidence after edging out City in the cup. Because of Cape Town City’s fiery attack and leaky defence, I’m backing Both Teams to Score here at 19/20.
19/20 Golden Arrows | 24/10 | Baroka 29/10 (17:00)
Golden Arrows have the opportunity to return to winning ways when they host Baroka on Wednesday. Abafana Bes’thende lost 2-1 at home to Black Leopards last time out, but were on a three-game winning run before that, which saw Arrows win the second Q-Innovation for the season. Baroka also come into this tie well rested and ended their four-game winless run with a 2-1 victory over Black Leopards in their last tie. Mandla Ncikazi’s men have been excellent all season and I expect them to come through with a win.
TREBLE @ 11/2
Orlando Pirates Win 7/10
Chippa United vs Cape Town City BTTS 19/20
Golden Arrows Win 19/20
Written by Jesse Nagel
