Our football analyst previews the PSL Week 17 action which kicks off on Saturday 12 January 2018.
The turn of the year has produced some interesting results with Steve Komphela winning his first match in charge of Golden Arrows. This time, he travels to his former club, Bloemfontein Celtic, which he left in an unceremonious manner.
Elsewhere, AmaZulu return to their fortress, King Zwelithini Stadium, where they will host Owen Da Gama’s Highlands Park while Cape Town City host relegation-threatened Baroka. Let’s forecast how these games are likely to pan out.
Saturday 12 January
Black Leopards 5/2
Draw 18/10
SuperSport United 13/10
Two first half goals handed Black Leopards a 2-1 victory over Baroka in a jam-packed Limpopo derby this past weekend to start the year off on a high. That saw Lidoda Duvha climb up to 12th on the log and they will be looking to use this match to steer clear of relegation trouble.
SuperSport lie seventh on the log and their year didn’t start on a positive note as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Cape Town City this past weekend. Matsatsantsa have won one of their last six games. Back the home team!
AmaZulu 19/10
Draw 17/10
Highlands Park 7/4
AmaZulu need to bounce back from the 3-2 defeat they suffered at Polokwane City last week. Usuthu will be delighted to be playing at home this time where they are still unbeaten in the league this season.
Highlands Park relinquished the lead twice last week to play out a 2-2 draw against Orlando Pirates and they will be delighted to welcome the league’s leading goalscorer, Mothobi Mvala, back from suspension for this encounter. My money is on the home side to win at King Zwelithini Stadium.
Cape Town City 1/1
Draw 39/20
Baroka 32/10
Gift Links’ solitary goal saw Cape Town City collect maximum points against SuperSport United last week in a match where highly-rated Kermit Erasmus made his debut. The Citizens have played Baroka seven times in their history, winning only once in regulation time.
On the other hand, Baroka have beaten Benni McCarthy’s men four times. Bakgakga lie only two spots above the relegation zone and they lost 2-1 to Black Leopards last week after conceding twice in the first half. The momentum and home ground advantage favours Cape Town City and I’m tipping them to win.
Sunday 13 January
Bloemfontein Celtic 19/20
Draw 18/10
Golden Arrows 36/10
This is an enticing clash with Steve Komphela returning to Bloemfontein to face a side that he coached a few weeks ago. His resignation letter which was publicised painted the club as unprofessional and I’m expecting emotions to be high in this game.
Celtic won their first match without him, beating Chippa United 1-0. On the other hand, Komphela won his first match in charge of Arrows, beating Maritzburg United in a KZN derby. Abafana Bes’thende will be without Wayde Jooste who got sent off in the match. I’m leaning towards Arrows to snatch a win here.
QUAD @ 92/1
Black Leopards Win 5/2
AmaZulu Win 19/10
Cape Town City Win 1/1
Golden Arrows Win 36/10
