Our soccer pundit previews the PSL gameweek 24 action which kicks off on Friday 16 March 2018.
We have five cracking contests in the PSL this week and each one of them has potential to be the defining moment of the season. After progressing to the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals, Kaizer Chiefs will be hoping to keep the momentum going when they host AmaZulu, while Orlando Pirates make their way over to Princess Magogo Stadium for a mouth-watering encounter with Golden Arrows. Fourth-placed Maritzburg United have a tricky Friday night date with Polokwane City and elsewhere, I don’t foresee Platinum Stars defying the form book against Bloemfontein Celtic.
Friday 16 March
Maritzburg United 15/20
Draw 23/10 |
Polokwane City 15/4
Maritzburg United are in an unfamiliar fourth position and they head into this match on the back of three consecutive league games without tasting defeat. They displayed a great deal of mental strength last week in the Nedbank Cup, grinding out a 2-1 victory over Royal Eagles after being reduced to 10 men in the first half, hence suspended Bevan Fransman will not be available for selection on this occasion. After failing to record a single victory in eight consecutive games across all competitions, Polokwane City managed a shock 2-0 win against Bloemfontein Celtic last week. I’m backing the home side.
Saturday 17 March
Chippa United 19/10
Draw 19/10
Free State Stars 15/10
This is a repeat of last week’s Nedbank Cup battle which was won by Free State Stars 2-1, courtesy of an 88th-minute strike by Bangali Keita. Free State Stars will be looking to narrow the gap between them and top-placed Mamelodi Sundowns to three points. The Nedbank Cup defeat was Vladislav Heric’s first match in charge of Chippa United as head coach since his reappointment to replace Teboho Moloi. The Chilli Boys are currently enduring a seven-game winless run in the league with the recent three of those ending in defeats. My money is on Free State Stars.
Kaizer Chiefs 6/10
Draw 24/10
AmaZulu 5/1
This is one of the most one-sided fixtures in the PSL with AmaZulu last beating Kaizer Chiefs in 2007 but their appointment of Cavin Johnson, who has a superb record against Amakhosi as head coach, has suddenly given the KZN outfit the ability to hold their own. There was nothing to choose between these two sides when they locked horns in the first half of the season and the match ended with a share of the spoils as neither team could find the back of the net.
AmaZulu have a tendency of playing one half and not showing up in the other one. Kaizer Chiefs might not be ruthless enough in front of goal but their team is playing well and they will have a couple of opportunities to hurt the visitors. It will be extremely difficult for the KZN outfit to break the resolute Chiefs defence. The hosts also know how to utilise set pieces to grind out results when teams are evenly matched and there’s no way to score in open play.
Lamontville Golden Arrows 26/10
Draw 22/10
Orlando Pirates 1/1
This hasn’t been a convincing season for Arrows with Clinton Larsen’s men only managing to win two of their last 20 matches cross all competitions. Abafana Besithende threw a 2-1 lead in injury-time to share the spoils with Polokwane City last time out. Orlando Pirates have only lost one of their nine games since 2018 started with only one draw and seven wins. Newly-signed Clifford Mulenga is now fully fit and he made his debut as a second half substitute in their 3-1 victory over Kaizer Chiefs and showed some glimpses of being a dangerous player. Pirates are tipped to win this one comfortably.
Sunday 18 March
Bloemfontein Celtic 8/10
Draw 22/10
Platinum Stars 36/10
Bloemfontein Celtic are one of the most inconsistent sides in the league with eight draws, eight loses and seven wins. Phunya Sele Sele expectedly thrashed Richards Bay 3-1 in the Nedbank Cup last week to progress to the quarter-finals. Platinum Stars look set to be relegated as they anchor the PSL
table with only three wins in their 23 games. They have lost seven and drawn two of their last nine games and if they win here, it would be a shock victory. Get on Bloemfontein Celtic to win at home.
TREBLE @ 46/10
Maritzburg United Win 15/20
Kaizer Chiefs Win 6/10
Pirates Win 1/1
