Our football analyst previews the PSL Week 23 action which kicks off on Friday 8 March 2019.
The league title race took a dramatic turn last week with Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits dropping points in their respective encounters while Orlando Pirates won their game against Golden Arrows to climb up to second on the log.
Maritzburg United came to within touching distance of PSL safety when they came back from a goal down to beat AmaZulu 2-1. There’s no margin for error on both ends of the table as well as in the middle as teams are battling it out to meet their respective targets. Here’s how I think gameweek 23 will unfold.
Saturday 9 March
Highlands Park 14/10
Draw 17/10
Baroka 24/10
Highlands Park were so wasteful in front of goal against Kaizer Chiefs at Moses Mabhida last Saturday where they lost 3-2 despite creating numerous chances. The Lions of the North are now four points shy of their targeted top eight spot.
Baroka lost the Limpopo derby 3-1 against Polokwane City last time out in a match where Bonginkosi Makume got sent off, meaning he won’t be available for selection this weekend. Bakgakga have won one from their last eight matches across all competitions and they will really struggle against Highlands Park. Back the hosts.
Polokwane City 23/20
Draw 18/10
Golden Arrows 29/10
Over the last three games Polokwane City have done well in high profile matches, holding both Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns as well as winning the Limpopo derby against Baroka. It shall be interesting to see how they do in midweek against Free State Stars ahead of this encounter.
They come up against a Golden Arrows side that seeks redemption after collecting just one point in their last three league games. This will be a tightly contested encounter and a draw is likely to be result.
Kaizer Chiefs 4/10
Draw 28/10
Maritzburg United 7/1
Kaizer Chiefs collected maximum points at Moses Mabhida Stadium courtesy of a 3-2 victory over Highlands Park. However, Amakhosi showed signs of being weak in defence and the goalkeeping department.
Chiefs are now unbeaten in four matches across all competitions. Maritzburg fought till the very death to come from behind and beat AmaZulu 2-1. The Team of Choice are rooted to the foot of the table with three points adrift of 14th-placed Chippa United and 15th-placed Free State Stars. Chiefs should win this one at home.
AmaZulu 23/10
Draw 19/10
Bidvest Wits 13/10
AmaZulu relinquished a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 against Maritzburg last Friday and that came off the back of a 4-1 defeat at Orlando Pirates. They face title-chasing Wits who are winless in three games which has seen them surrender their position at the summit of the table, sliding down to third. Both teams aren’t doing so well recently and this has draw written all over it.
Sunday 10 March
SuperSport United 13/20
Draw 5/2
Free State Stars 4/1
SuperSport’s recent resurgence has seen them climb up to fifth on the log. Matsatsantsa have won four of their last five league games which has dramatically turned their fortunes around. Newly-signed Mxolisi Macuphu has chipped in with some vital goals.
Free State Stars have played so well in their last two games, scoring five goals in the process. Their only problem is that they play in patches as opposed to performing throughout the 90 minutes. Back a narrow SuperSport United win.
Black leopards 29/20
Draw 18/10
Chippa United 43/20
Black Leopards are winless in their last five league outings with three draws and two defeats. As you’d imagine, both these losses were away from home as they’re a different proposition at Thohoyandou Stadium.
Clinton Larsen finally suffered his first defeat as the Chippa Untied head coach when his charges lost 1-0 to rejuvenated SuperSport United and he’s called for calm as his team now lies third from the bottom of the log. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Chilli Boys return to winning ways in Limpopo.
TREBLE @ 9/2
Highlands Park Win 14/10
SuperSport United Win 13/20
Kaizer Chiefs Win 4/10
Written by @EggsBenedictZA
