The Hollywoodbets Super League finally makes its return with live games being broadcasted, showcasing the best up and coming talent South Africa has to offer. Without further ado, let’s get into our preview which consists of catchup games.
Saturday 7 August
Tsunami Queens vs Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies (15:00)
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies will play two matches in the space of four days and the reigning champions will be a safe bet to claim back-to-back victories as they ramp up preparations for their upcoming COSAFA CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers, where the Brazilians have been drawn against Lesotho Defence Force, Double Action Ladies from Botswana and Eswatini outfit Manzini Wanderers LFC.
Despite playing the least number of games (8), Masandawana remain atop the standings unless second from bottom Tsunami Queens can upset the applecart. The hosts have tasted three defeats in four games at home, in Harrismith, and desperately need to turn things around.
Sundowns will be licking their lips against a leaky defence that have conceded three times in each of those home defeats, while recently signed Banyana Banyana forward Rhoda Mulaudzi will be hoping to hit the ground running and get a few goals under her belt in a yellow shirt. Take Sundowns confidently with your entire pay check.
Ma Indies Ladies vs UWC Ladies (15:00)
Ma Indies Ladies will be looking to return to winning ways which saw the Limpopo-based club placed in the upper half of the log with an impressive string of results at the end of May and beginning of June.
In the absence of league fixtures, head coach Tlou Mabotja would have had enough time to fine tune his troops who have a real fight on their hands against the visiting UWC Ladies before Thunderbirds Ladies come flying into town next Sunday.
Coach Thinasonke Mbuli’s blue brigade will return to the ‘Operation Room’ for a clash with last-placed Golden Ladies on Tuesday, but first, UWC will seek to claim their second victory on the road at the Giyani Stadium.
Ma Indies’ only proper test on home soil was an opening day 5-1 defeat to JVW FC, the smart money says the quality of UWC will come shining through as they narrowly edge out a win.
Sunday 8 August
JVW FC vs Coal City Wizards (15:00)
JVW FC will be aiming to regain their spot in the standings, keeping their eyes on the ultimate prize, which saw the Blue Diamonds chasing down champions Mamelodi Sundowns prior to missing out on seven weeks of Hollywoodbets Super League action.
Coach Ciara Picco’s charges were overtaken by the likes of TUT Ladies, First Touch FC and Bloemfontein Celtic but will now look to claim maximum points over ‘Mawizards’ this Sunday and Tsunami Queens next Saturday during their games in hand, hoping to restore normality to proceedings.
Mpumalanga based outfit Coal City Wizards also had their previous game broadcasted live to Mzansi, sharing the spoils in a goalless draw with First Touch FC in Witbank one month ago. The visitors understandably come into the clash as the underdogs, failing to score in any of their last five games while shipping 12 goals in the same period.
JVW midfielder Isabella Ludwig had been granted permission to travel to Danish club Fortuna Hjorring for a trial, with the promising 19-year-old eager to fly the South African flag proudly while earning herself a contract with the 11-time Elitedivisionen champions, meanwhile defender Nicola Schulz has departed to Tennessee Wesleyan University to study and play football.
Nevertheless, on the betting front, there’s only one way to go, banker JVW FC for all the marbles.
Tuesday 10 August
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies vs UJ Ladies (15:00)
With all due respect to Tsunami Queens, coach Jerry Tshabalala’s champions will face a much tougher test when they play host to UJ Ladies. The ‘Orange Army’ have lost three straight games by a 1-0 scoreline to UWC Ladies, TUT Ladies and Thunderbirds Ladies which has seen them backslide into 12th on the log.
However, don’t be fooled by the current standings, there’s plenty of quality within their ranks that need to be stepping up. Goals are worth their weight in gold right now for UJ Ladies, who don’t have anyone that’s registered four goals as a personal tally, as yet.
These two sides were initially scheduled to lock horns on the 26th of June and every preparation possible would’ve been done to compete against the best the league has to offer. My money is on these sides sharing the spoils in a hard-fought and cagey affair.
UWC Ladies vs Golden Ladies (15:00)
Agreeing to play twice within four days displays the confidence that the UWC Ladies players give their management. At home, they’ve been incredible, winning all five games and keeping four clean sheets in the process.
There are no doubts about it, this type of home form is championship contending quality. Consistency will be the telling factor if UWC can push Sundowns all the way for the title.
Delving further into this midweek encounter, I don’t see the hosts finding much resistance against the league’s bottom side. Take the hosts to win confidently.
