DStv Premiership action seems to be coming thick and fast with our first taste of midweek football getting underway tonight. After hammering Kaizer Chiefs on the weekend, Mamelodi Sundowns will be looking to stamp their authority on the league again when they host Tshakhuma TM.
Image copyright – Steve Haag Sports
After their setback, Amakhosi travel to Port Elizabeth to face Chippa United, while Orlando Pirates seek their first win of the new campaign when they host Stellenbosch at Esgodini SikaMaminzela. Of course, it’s not all about the big three with plenty of other enticing matches to look forward to in midweek
Tuesday 27 October
Black Leopards 7/4
Draw 33/20
Baroka FC 39/20
(19:30)
The first Limpopo derby of the new season sees Black Leopards lock horns with Baroka FC at the Thohoyandou Stadium. Leopards got their campaign underway with a disappointing 2-0 defeat at SuperSport United, while their crosstown rivals were impressive against Maritzburg United, beating the Team of Choice 2-1. After fighting relegation, both sides will want to avoid another scramble at the wrong end of the table. Personally, I can’t see Bagkaka losing this one. Back Baroka FC on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 4/10.
Chippa United 17/4
Draw 19/10
Kaizer Chiefs 8/10
(19:30)
Kaizer Chiefs have a mountain to climb after their heavy defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns on the weekend. Failure to beat Chippa United tonight and pressure will slowly start to pile on Gavin Hunt, especially in the build-up to his first Soweto derby this coming weekend. Chippa United produced a solid display in their last outing against Cape Town City, holding them to a 1-1 stalemate. Bienvenu Eva Nga made his debut off the bench and Hunt will know him very well after working together at Bidvest Wits. I fancy a draw in this tie.
Wednesday 28 October
Orlando Pirates 5/10
Draw 28/10
Stellenbosch 57/10
(19:30)
Orlando Pirates’ road to the derby this weekend starts on Wednesday night against Stellenbosch. Josef Zinnbauer’s side got their first points on the board against AmaZulu this past weekend, drawing against the Durban-based side. Still, a draw against a side who finished 14th last season will not sit well with the Pirates fans. Stellies also picked up a draw in the opening weekend of the DStv Premiership, sharing the spoils against Swallows FC. Pirates have already beaten opposition from the Western Cape this term and should get their first league win this Wednesday.
Maritzburg United 16/10
Draw 2/1
Cape Town City 7/4
(19:30)
Two consecutive 2-1 defeats from Kaizer Chiefs and Baroka FC have given Maritzburg United a tough start to the new season. Now, they host a Cape Town City side who are also winless in their opening two matches, losing against Pirates, while they were held to a 1-1 draw against Chippa United. Both United and City will be without Kwanda Mngonyama and Fagrie Lakay respectively with the duo facing their final game of suspension. These sides look likely to cancel each other out.
Swallows FC 18/10
Draw 2/1
Bloemfontein Celtic 31/20
(19:30)
Swallows marked their comeback with a commendable 1-1 draw at Stellenbosch. Now, the Dube Birds return to Dobsonville Stadium in the top flight where they have a rich vein of history. Ruzaigh Gamildien got a goal on his debut, while some of the older players showed that they still have the legs to go a long way, most notably Vuyo Mere. Bloemfontein Celtic claimed an outstanding result against Mamelodi Sundowns, knocking them out of the MTN8. They did, however, follow that up with a 1-1 stalemate at home to Golden Arrows. Perhaps one eye could also be on this weekend’s semi-final showpiece where they face SuperSport United. I’ll back Swallows in this one.
TS Galaxy 29/20
Draw 2/1
AmaZulu 19/10
(19:30)
TS Galaxy registered their debut game in the top flight with a draw in Limpopo against fellow newcomers, Tshakhuma TM. It wasn’t the best of results, but there were positive patterns in the way they played under the tutelage of Dan Malesela. AmaZulu were impressive in their 1-1 draw against Pirates and have recently added Xola Mlambo to their well-assembled squad. Bongi Ntuli seems to have played his last game for Usuthu, so the onus will be on the new signings to perform. I’ll take AmaZulu on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 9/20.
Golden Arrows 17/4
Draw 19/10
SuperSport United 8/10
(19:30)
Golden Arrows certainly surprised me when they managed to get a draw against Bloemfontein Celtic this past weekend. Mandla Ncikazi got off to a bright start and will be hoping to continue his fortunes against a SuperSport United side who have claimed back-to-back wins from their opening two matches. Bradley Grobler was in fine form on the weekend, netting a brace against Black Leopards. With the MTN8 semi-finals still to play for, it remains to be seen whether United will have one eye on the cup competition. It seems to be the case quite often in midweek, but I’ll back yet another draw.
Mamelodi Sundowns 4/10
Draw 32/10
Tshakhuma TM 6/1
(19:30)
Sundowns sent out a huge warning sign to the rest of the league this past weekend when they hammered Kaizer Chiefs 3-0. It was even more alarming that Sundowns were not even at their majestic best to beat last season’s runners-up. That emphatic win will also take some of the pressure off joint-head coaches, Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena. Despite earning a draw and avoiding defeat against TS Galaxy in their opening DStv Premiership match, I expect this to be a long season for Tshakhuma TM. The Limpopo-based side are yet to convince me and will stand very little chance against the league champions. Back Sundowns to Win to Nil for an extra bit of value at 21/20.
TREBLE @ 33/10
Baroka FC Win/Draw 4/10
Orlando Pirates Win 5/10
Sundowns Win to Nil 21/20
Written by Jesse Nagel
