DStv Premiership: Gameweek 8 Preview

This weekend, we’ll be a quarter way into the first-ever DStv Premiership with the log standings now starting to take shape. 

Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports.

Swallows FC have been the surprise package thus far, while Kaizer Chiefs have been quite the opposite. With football coming thick and fast, we could see a few upsets in the league with plenty of teams expected to suffer from fatigue in this festive period.

Standings provided by SofaScore LiveScore

Friday 18 December

Maritzburg United 29/20 
Draw 2/1 
Stellenbosch 19/10 

Maritzburg United will be looking to pick up where they left
off in their last game at the Harry Gwala Stadium, where they fought back to
hold Mamelodi Sundowns to a draw. That was Ernst Middendorp’s first match in
charge of the Team of Choice, and by now, the German’s tactics should be
well-implemented into the squad. 

Stellenbosch have been consistent since coming
up to the top flight. The Cape-based side are in and around the top eight
spots, and should be there throughout the rest of the campaign. I’ll back a
draw.

Saturday 19 December

Baroka 2/1

SuperSport United 27/20

You never know what you’re going to get from this Baroka
team. When you expect them to win, they somehow find a way not to, but when the
odds are stacked against them, Bakgaga find a way to pull a rabbit out of the hat.
Surprisingly, they’re still unbeaten at home. 

SuperSport United have a game in
hand over most teams in the league, but still find themselves in the thick of
things at this early stage. I fancy SuperSport United from the two sides
here.

Golden Arrows 5/1

Mamelodi Sundowns 11/20

At the time of writing, Golden Arrows are one of four
unbeaten sides in the DStv Premiership. Mamelodi Sundowns are also one of those
four teams after their emphatic start to the league campaign. 

Sundowns, though,
despite their success on the field, have been going through difficult times
after having to deal with the loss of Anele Ngcongca and Motjeka Madisha in the
space of a couple of weeks. Personally, I hope the league decides to
postpone this match, if they don’t, stay away from betting on this fixture.

Cape Town City 8/10

TS Galaxy 3/1

Cape Town City seem to be making an upward trajectory after
a couple of impressive performances. Jan Olde Riekerink has silenced many of
his doubters with City now playing the brand of football which is required of
them, while the results have been forthcoming. 

TS Galaxy have also associated
their brand with expansive football, playing out from the back and dominating
the midfield. This tie will also afford Terrence Mashego of Cape Town City and
Ebrahim Seedat of TS Galaxy an opportunity to prove that they’re better off in
their new roles after making a direct switch between the two clubs. I’m
leaning slightly more towards Cape Town City.

Kaizer Chiefs 1/1

Bloemfontein Celtic 26/10

It’s been an utterly disappointing start to the new campaign
for Kaizer Chiefs this term. At the time of writing, they’re down in the dumps,
two points off the relegation zone. The club have been let down big time by
some of their senior players, while Gavin Hunt should also take some of the
blame for persisting with them instead of breeding in some of the younger and
hungrier players. This game will come seven days after Bloemfontein Celtic were
denied glory in the MTN8 final by Orlando Pirates. 

It was the club’s second
defeat in a cup final in the space of a few months, which highlights the superb
work done by John Maduka and his technical team. The last time these sides met,
Celtic came out 3-1 winners in the bio-bubble with some interesting comments
from Sifiso Ngobeni, who lambasted Chiefs for their stye of play. My money
is on Siwelele to win or draw.

Sunday 20 December

AmaZulu 9/10

Chippa United 28/10

The future is looking bright for AmaZulu. Usuthu have made
some stellar marquee signings at the start of the season and now have one of
the brightest young coaches in their ranks in Benni McCarthy. 

With Benni
already proven as a successful coach from his time with Cape Town City, AmaZulu
will be confident of getting their season back on track. Chippa United have had
their difficulties this term and are still winless on the road. I’m backing
AmaZulu all the way.

Black Leopards 19/10

Swallows FC 27/20

Black Leopards have had an underwhelming start to the DStv
Premiership. At this early stage, Lidoda Duvha have been sucked into a
relegation battle, and after throwing a two-goal lead away against Kaizer
Chiefs a fortnight ago, mentally, they don’t look ready to compete at this
level. 

Swallows have been the talk of the town in the early part of the
campaign with coach Brandon Truter snapping up the Coach of the Month award
after miraculously leading his side to second place in the league. The Dube
Birds have looked ultra-impressive in every area of the pitch so far, therefore,
I expect them to get the job done in Thohoyandou.

TREBLE @ 7/1

Cape Town City Win 8/10

AmaZulu Win 9/10

Swallows Win 27/20

Written by Jesse Nagel