PREVIEW: The title race is heating up after Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies dropped points

JVW now sit just two points behind the reigning champions after claiming a massive 9-1 win over City Lads, while TUT remained in the title-chasing group with their slim win against the Thunderbirds. Golden Ladies shook the relegation battle at the bottom by earning their first victory this season and will be looking to add more points this weekend. We preview gameweek 20.

Saturday 24 September

13/10 Coal City Wizards | Draw 2/1 | Durban Ladies 19/10 (15:00)

Coal City Wizards became the first side to drop three points against bottom-of-the-table Golden Ladies, going down by a single goal. That was their second loss in a row, and they now have one victory in their last five games.

It’s not looking good for the Wizards, but luckily for them, they have 2-3 games in hand compared to those around them and can still work on adding a buffer between them and the relegation.

Durban Ladies have been in a bit of a free fall themselves, losing their five previous fixtures in a row, and will need to stop the rot soon. This game could give them a bit of a breather. I’ll back a Double Chance here: Home side win or draw.

9/10 Bloemfontein Celtic | Draw 22/10 | Thunderbirds 11/4 (15:00)

Bloemfontein Celtic (Royal AM Ladies) hosts a Thunderbirds side after collecting four points in their last two games.

They will be looking to keep this momentum heading to the last 10 games of the league. They are 11 points behind the table toppers.

A win here could give them hope of finishing higher than they did last season. On the other hand, Thunderbirds have picked up just one point in their previous three games but are safe inside the top, seven points clear from the team below them on 10th. It won’t be easy, but I’m tipping a win for the home side on this one.

5/2 City Lads | Draw 21/10 | First Touch 1/1 (15:00)

City Lads were thrashed 9-1 by title-chasing JVW last Sunday. This loss came after they were beaten 3-0 by table-toppers Mamelodi Sundowns, but before that game, City Lads won 4-3 against a midtable side, Thunderbirds.

They now face a side that’s even lower on the table in First Touch and will look at this game to turn things around after sliding down to 14th. First Touch earned a much-needed three points against Durban Ladies last time out in only their fifth win this season after 19 games. Double Chance: City Lads win or First Touch win.

5/1 Tsunami Queens | Draw 5/2 | Richmond United (15:00)

The home side has won just one game (their only victory this season) in their last four matches. They head into this game looking for only their second win of this season, which could potentially close the gap between them and the 14th-positioned side to just three points.

To do this, Tsunami Queens will have to be on top of their game since they have the third leakiest defence in the league and come up against a Richmond United side with a knack for goal. Positioned eighth, United has won 50% of their games this season, scoring 40 goals (only two short of third positioned TUT). I’m backing a win for the visitors. Add them to your multiples.

15/10 UWC | Draw 2/1 | JVW 17/10 (15:00)

Match of the weekend! The two sides inside the top four clash this weekend, with both teams looking to keep pressure on Sundowns Ladies. Second positioned JVW will head into this game in their best goal-scoring form, having won by an eight-goal margin in their last game.

UWC, on the other hand, showed their mental strength after coming from a goal down to draw with Masandawana. They have the second-best defence in the league, conceding just 12 goals in 18, and they will have to be on their best game against the second-highest scoring side in the division. I’m on the fence on this one, so I’ll go with a Double Chance: JVW win or draw.

Sunday 25 September

6/10 Vasco Da Gama | Draw 24/10 | Golden Ladies (15:00)

After finally getting their first victory this season, Golden Ladies will look to get their second win against out-of-form Vasco Da Gama. The home side has gone five games without tasting success despite picking up two draws during this period.

So far, Vasco hasn’t had many victories this season, as they’ve only managed just three. Playing at home against fellow strugglers in the league could give them the boost they need to return to winning ways.

This game could go either way, but I don’t think there will be a draw. Double Chance: Vasco da Gama or Golden Ladies win.