Written by @Wayde_D for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Platinum Stars | Saturday 02 August | Loftus Stadium | 15:00
ABSA Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns take on the MTN8 holders Platinum Stars on Saturday. Both sides will be looking to follow up on impressive seasons and Platinum Stars, in particular, would be disappointed if they were to miss out on the chance of early season silverware. They are a side that thrives on tournament football, but will need to be at their utmost best if they are to conquer the league champions away from home.
To Win (90mins)
Mamelodi Sundowns 8/10
Draw 23/10
Platinum Stars 33/10
Mamelodi Sundowns
Sundowns continued their pre-season preparations with two more wins last weekend. The Brazilians had a successful tour of Zimbabwe, and two more good results by beating Moroka Swallows and Ajax Cape Town. On Friday night, Teko Modise’s late penalty was enough to see off the Dube Birds. Then, on Sunday, they completed their trip to Cape Town with a 3-2 win against Ajax. Sundowns winger Lebohang Mokoena will miss the start of the season with a shoulder injury, while veteran midfielder Surprise Moriri is also carrying a knock and will be absent for this game. The pair were crucial in Sundowns’ title winning campaign. Downs have been busy in the transfer window, bringing in several new faces and also welcoming back loaned players. Amongst the new signings is winger Lindokuhle Mbatha from Platinum Stars, and strikers Mame Niang from SuperSport United and Bonginkosi Ntuli from Golden Arrows. Highlighting the returnees is Themba Zwane – who played for Black Aces last season and Nyasha Mushekwi – who spent some time at KV Oostende in Belgium.
Platinum Stars
Platinum Stars had an excellent run in all three cups last season. They won the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout and were beaten in the Nedbank Cup final. Amazingly, they faced Pirates in all three finals. Their league form left a lot to be desired, finishing eighth on the table after failing to find any consistency to replicate the season prior, where they finished runners-up to Kaizer Chiefs. Dikwena were big losers in the transfer window, having seen three big players leave the club. Mbatha went to Downs while Henrico Botes moved to Wits and Issa Sarr landed the big time at Pirates. Stars have brought in striker Ndumiso Mabena from Orlando Pirates and midfielder Letladi Madubanya from Bidvest Wits.
VERDICT: Mamelodi Sundowns 8/10
The last meeting between the sides came in March of this year in league play and Sundowns walked away with maximum points in a 3-1 scoreline. The Brazilians have beefed up their squad and are looking a good bet for the win here.
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