The 2019/20 campaign gets underway this weekend and our analysts predict what the table will look like at the end of the season.
Banele Pikwa says Orlando Pirates – 33/10
The 2018/19 season was one of the most entertaining, yet so open, with four or five teams still in the title race until gameweek 26. Orlando Pirates were unlucky in the previous campaign getting an early red card in the Telkom knockout final and conceding a late goal against Cape Town City in the second to last game of the season.
The Buccaneers were two games away from being the best team in the country and only luck was the difference, which is still amazing for a team that’s been together for two seasons. Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic, Rhulani Mokwena and Fadlu Davids didn’t lose any of their top players and added some interesting names like Siphesihle Ndlovu, Fortune Makaringe and Bongani Sam to name a few. It will be difficult to beat Pirates this season and I do see Pitso Mosimane finishing out of the top two for the first time in a very long time.
2) Cape Town City
3) Mamelodi Sundowns
4) Bidvest Wits
5) Kaizer Chiefs
6) SuperSport United
7) AmaZulu
8) Polokwane City
Relegated: Stellenbosch FC
Play-Off: Chippa United
Jesse Nagel says Orlando Pirates – 33/10
Pressure, pressure, pressure! The duress of finishing second best is certainly one that Orlando Pirates need to overcome if they are to finally dethrone two-time reigning champions, Mamelodi Sundowns. It’s quite evident that Pirates are improving year in and year out and had it not been for a slip-up against Cape Town City in the second to last game, perhaps their names could have been engraved on the Absa Premiership title.
Now, after finishing two points behind Sundowns, could this be the season of delivery for the Buccaneers? Is the ‘pregnant elephant’ about to deliver after an 18-month labour? Bucs certainly showed a statement of intent with their new acquisitions, bringing in Gabadinho Mhango, French goalkeeper, Joris Delle, Tshegofatso Mabasa, Kabelo Dlamini, Austin Muwowo, Tebogo Tlolane, Bongani Sam and star duo, Fortune Makaringe and Siphesihle Ndlovu, who will get the opportunity to once again work with Fadlu Davids, who serves as one of Milutin Sredojevic’s assistants, alongside Rhulani Mokwena.
Winning the league three times in a row certainly can be done again by a Tshwane-based club, but at 33/10, Pirates should end the season off ending their long-standing trophy drought with the league title.
2) Mamelodi Sundowns
3) Cape Town City
4) SuperSport United
5) Bidvest Wits
6) Kaizer Chiefs
7) Golden Arrows
8) Polokwane City
Relegated: Baroka FC
Play-Off: Bloemfontein Celtic
Benedict Ngwenya says Orlando Pirates – 33/10
Mamelodi Sundowns are priced up as favourites to clinch their third consecutive title ahead of Orlando Pirates but the gap between the two teams has become narrow over the last two seasons with the Brazilians just about managing to pip the mighty Buccaneers to the coveted prize.
Milutin Sredojevic has indicated his desire to make it third time lucky by signing among others the likes of Fortune Makaringe, Bongani Sam, Gabadinho Mhlango and Siphesihle Ndlovu to give the team much-needed depth in key positions. The league title race will be between the two sides who also happen to participate in the CAF Champions League and whoever is able to juggle the two competitions smartly will come up trumps and I’m leaning towards the Mayfair-based outfit.
2) Mamelodi Sundowns
3) Cape Town City
4) Bidvest Wits
5) SuperSport United
6) Kaizer Chiefs
7) Highlands Park
8) AmaZulu
Relegated: Baroka FC
Play-Off: Stellenbosch FC
