Connect with us

NFD

NFD: Week 28 Preview

Week 28 Preview

Our soccer expert previews the NFD week 28 action which kicks off on Friday 20 April 2018. 

Let me admit that when I tipped Highlands Park, who have already secured PSL promotion, to beat bottom-placed Mthatha Bucks, I was a bit worried about their hangover from title celebrations. However, the Lions of the North displayed a great deal of professionalism and won 3-0. They have to be included in all trebles, simply because they always win.

Black Leopards suffered a shock defeat at Witbank Spurs and this time they have a chance to redeem themselves at home against Richards Bay FC who are in the relegation zone.

Bet Now on Soccer

Friday 20 April

Cape Town All Stars 28/10
Draw 22/10
Highlands Park 1/1
Cape Town All Stars are seventh on the standings and they are without a single victory over their last five matches. They’re hosting a side that’s on an eight-match winning streak. As I mentioned in my introduction, Highlands Park have to be professional in their last couple of matches as they’ve already won the league and they did just that last week when they thumped Mthatha Bucks 3-0. Lions of the North will emerge victorious again, they always win.

Saturday 21 April

Black Leopards 4/10
Draw 3/1
Richards Bay 13/2
Black Leopards finally lost a match last week after going eight games unbeaten. Lidoda Duvha who sit on second place are now one-point clear of third-placed Jomo Cosmos and returning to winning ways would help them breathe a little easier and not potentially lose their position. By a way of contrast, Richards Bay are having a poor maiden season in the NFD as they’re in the relegation zone. The New Rich Boyz are winless in their last three games which includes last week’s six-pointer against relegation-threatened Super Eagles. I foresee Leopards winning this one easily.

Mthatha Bucks 4/1
Draw 23/10
Jomo Cosmos 7/10
Bottom-placed Mthatha Bucks are almost relegated now as they’re seven points off safety with three games remaining, meaning if the two teams above them win one game each from their remaining three, Amatholamnyama will be playing in the ABC Motsepe League next season. Bucks are winless in eight league games. Cosmos are chasing promotion and they currently lie in third which is a play-off spot and they’ll be looking to steer clear of fourth-placed Witbank Spurs who are just one point behind them. It’s a must win for Ezenkosi and I think they’ll collect maximum points.

Real Kings 11/10
Draw 21/10
University of Pretoria 24/10
Real Kings are two points off third place as a result of dropping points in each of their last four games. They have lost one and drawn three of those. It shall be a compelling contest against a University of Pretoria side which won their first game last week since going six matches without a win. Back the Magic Boys to win at home.

Super Eagles 14/10
Draw 2/1
Tshakhuma 19/10
Super Eagles who were 15th before the appointment of Ian Palmer as head coach, have now climbed up to 11th after beating Richards Bay 2-1 in a crucial six-pointer. However, they are not safe yet as 15th-placed Richards Bay are only two points behind them. Tshakhuma are six points away from third spot and losing this game would see them kissing their promotion hopes goodbye. I’m backing an entertaining draw.

Ubuntu Cape Town 13/10
Draw 2/1
Royal Eagles 21/10
This will be a crunch encounter between two sides who are both on 29 points and who both drew their games last week. These sides have almost identical records as they’ve both won six, drawn 11 and lost 10 of their 27 league matches so far this season. I’m expecting them to cancel each other out, hence my decision to back a share of the spoils.

Uthongathi 13/10
Draw 2/1
Mbombela United 21/10
Uthongathi are in danger of being relegated as they’re tied on 28 points with Richards Bay, who are in the relegation zone and just one spot below them. The Cane Cutters threw away a 1-0 lead last week to play a 1-1 draw with Ubuntu Cape Town. Mbombela United are winless over the last four matches and they will be hoping to turn their fortunes around against a lesser opponent. My money is on Uthongathi winning at home.

Sunday 22 April

Stellenbosch 15/10
Draw 2/1
Witbank Spurs 18/10
I’m expecting Witbank to attack the game with Stellenbosch employing defensive tactics at home as the visitors have promotion to fight for while the hosts are virtually out of contention. Witbank are enjoying a three-match winning streak while Stellenbosch returned to winning ways against Mbombela last week after going six games without a single victory. I say Witbank collect maximum points here.

TREBLE 4/1
Highlands Park Win
Black Leopards Win
Jomo Cosmos Win

Bet Now on Soccer with Hollywoodbets!

Register now and start betting with Hollywoodbets today!

Big Soccer Win of R4.9 Million at Hollywoodbets

More in NFD