More DStv Premiership football is on the horizon as five blockbuster fixtures headline the act in midweek. The pick of the bunch will be in the city of Maritzburg as Ernst Middendorp leads his charges against his former employers, Kaizer Chiefs, at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Wednesday.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Elsewhere, Stellenbosch will be looking to kick on from their impressive victory in the derby against Cape Town City, while AmaZulu travel to Chippa United, Golden Arrows make way to Tshakhuma and TS Galaxy host Black Leopards.
Standings provided by SofaScore LiveScore
Wednesday 10 March
24/10 Tshakhuma FC | Draw 22/10 | Golden Arrows 11/10 (17:00)
Tshakhuma have done exactly what is required of them if they are to retain their top-flight status and overcome their dismal form. The Limpopo-based side are unbeaten in four games, including a penalty shootout victory over Swallows in the Nedbank Cup. In the league, Tshakhuma beat Maritzburg United and Stellenbosch, followed by another stalemate in 90 minutes against Swallows. Golden Arrows moved up to fourth in the DStv Premiership standings after an emphatic 3-1 win at Black Leopards. Their last visit to Limpopo didn’t go too badly, but Tshakhuma will pose a different threat to their neighbours. I’ll back a draw here between these two sides.
8/10 TS Galaxy | 23/10 | Black Leopards 7/2 (17:00)
TS Galaxy are now playing like the team we expected them to be at the start of the season and are currently enduring a six-game unbeaten run in the league. In that period, the Rockets inflicted Swallows’ first defeat in the DStv Premiership and come off the back of an impressive goalless draw at SuperSport United. Black Leopards are still rooted to the foot of the table after suffering their second consecutive defeat. TS Galaxy are a banker here.
12/10 Baroka | 21/10 | Stellenbosch 22/10 (17:00)
Baroka will come into their tie with Stellenbosch well-rested after the Polokwane-based side had no DStv Premiership commitments this past weekend. In their last match, Baroka fought hard to hold Golden Arrows to a goalless stalemate in Durban, after beating Black Leopards in the Limpopo derby. Stellenbosch ended a seven-game winless run in the DStv Premiership with a resounding 2-1 victory over their Western Cape rivals, Cape Town City. It remains to be seen whether Stellies were just motivated for a bit of local rivalry or if they’re ready to mount a surge up the table and compete for a spot in the top eight. I’ll go with my gut feeling on this one and back Baroka on home soil.
26/10 Chippa United | 22/10 | AmaZulu 1/1 (17:00)
Since returning to the Eastern Cape, Chippa United are yet to make their marker on the league. The Chilli Boys showed signs of improvement in the Nedbank Cup where they knocked Cape Town City out of the tournament, but are winless in their last five league encounters after their 3-0 drubbing against Orlando Pirates this past weekend. Benni McCarthy has been awarded for AmaZulu’s recent run of results, claiming the Coach of the Month award for January/February. Usuthu have not tasted defeat since the middle of January and are unbeaten in eight league encounters. AmaZulu are well-rested and should claim maximum points.
37/20 Maritzburg United | 2/1 | Kaizer Chiefs 15/10 (18:00)
Maritzburg United have proven tough to beat in the last couple of ties, beating Black Leopards 1-0 and then holding Bloemfontein Celtic to a 1-1 draw. They now face a Kaizer Chiefs side who will be brimming with confidence after picking up their first-ever CAF Champions League win. Amakhosi were full value for their win against Atletico Petroleos de Luanda and will be waiting on the fitness levels of some of their best attacking players. Ernst Middendorp already got one over his former employers in their earlier meeting at FNB Stadium this season and will know that a double over the Glamour Boys will rub it in their face. With so much fixtures coming thick and fast for Chiefs, while being struck by injuries, my money is on Maritzburg United to hold them to a draw.
TREBLE @ 7/1
TS Galaxy Win 8/10
Baroka Win 12/10
AmaZulu Win 1/1
Written by Jesse Nagel
