Our football analyst previews the PSL week 26 action which kicks off on Saturday 7 April 2018.
The title chase has become a two-horse race between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns and they’re both in desperate need of maximum points. The Buccaneers face a tricky assignment against their hoodoo team in the shape of SuperSport United while the Brazilians visit Baroka who denied them the title last season. Let find out what we can expect this weekend.
Saturday 7 April
Kaizer Chiefs 8/10
Draw 24/10
Chippa United 7/2
Kaizer Chiefs left it late against Free State Stars in midweek when they won that clash 1-0, courtesy of a 95th header by Teenage Hadebe. That has seen Amakhosi climb up to third and seven points off the pace. Steve Komphela’s men have won two and drawn two of their last five PSL fixtures.
The Chilli Boys called upon Vladislav Heric to come and rescue their sinking ship but ever since he took over the coaching reigns they’ve only won one game. They were no match for Sundowns on Wednesday as they lost 2-0. Chiefs should win this one at home.
Golden Arrows 18/10
Draw 21/10
Free State Stars 15/10
Arrows shocked the whole country when they won 1-0 at Cape Town City in midweek. Abafana Bes’thende are now on 30 points and their next target is to break into the top eight. This will be a tough fixture against a side that’s seeking redemption.
Free State Stars will have coach Luc Eymael back from his two-match ban after sitting out the games against Ubuntu Cape Town and Kaizer Chiefs. The visitors’ captain, Paulus Masehe sits out the match due to suspension. The last time these sides drew was in 2013 and the following nine matches have had a winner with Arrows emerging victorious on four occasions. I foresee Ea Lla Koto’s slight dominance continuing. Get on the away win.
Maritzburg United 23/20
Draw 2/1
Cape Town City 5/2
Maritzburg United’s four-match unbeaten run came to an abrupt halt when they were handed a 2-1 defeat by Bidvest Wits in midweek. This time, the Team of Choice will have Deolin Mekoa and Fortune Makaringe back from suspension and they will make a huge difference as they are key players.
Cape Town City have lost four of their last five league games and they’ve recently crashed out of both the Nedbank Cup and the CAF Confederations Cup. They head into this one on the back of a 1-0 defeat at home against Arrows. I don’t see the Citizens upsetting the form book, hence I’m predicting a home victory.
Platinum Stars 33/20
Draw 37/20
Polokwane City 37/20
Platinum Stars have been so poor this season with only three wins in 25 games. They are currently enduring a 10-match winless run and relegation looms large. Midfield kingpin, Manti Mekoa will be suspended for the clash.
Polokwane are one of the three teams that are currently sitting on 30 points and they are high on confidence after beating SuperSport United 1-0 on Wednesday. The display saw coach Bernard Molekwa praising his team’s fighting spirit, “If we continue with the fighting spirit and commitment from our last game. We will comeback with three points” he said. I’m leaning towards Polokwane edging the clash.
Sunday 8 April
Baroka 29/10
Draw 21/10
Mamelodi Sundowns 1/1
At roundabout this stage last season, Baroka scored a late equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw against Sundowns and that pretty much put Bidvest Wits on the driving seat to win the league title, however, when these sides met earlier this season vengeful Sundowns thumped Bakgakga 4-0!
With a game in hand, Sundowns are one point clear of second-placed Orlando Pirates at the summit of the PSL standings and they’ve never lost to Baroka. This should be a convincing Sundowns win.
Bloemfontein Celtic 1/1
Draw 22/10
AmaZulu 28/10
Ten-men Celtic tried to hold their own against rampant Orlando Pirates on Wednesday but Augustine Mulenga’s thumping strike towards the end of the game saw them lose 2-1. They will be without Lorenzo Gordinho who got sent off in that encounter.
Usuthu sit in 10th place and they’ve officially stated that they are fighting for a spot in the top eight. Dreadlocked midfield sensation, Siyethemba Mnguni will be serving a one-match suspension and that’s a terrible blow for the visitors. I’m tipping a Celtic victory!
Wednesday 11 April
SuperSport United 17/10
Draw 21/10
Orlando Pirates 16/10
SuperSport United are unbeaten against Orlando Pirates in the last eight meetings across all competitions but this is a different SuperSport side which is placed third from the bottom of the PSL standings. Kaitano Tembo is winless ever since he replaced Eric Tinkler as head coach of the team.
By a way of contrast, Pirates is chasing the league title and their impressive recent form which has seen them win five consecutive league games for the first time since 2011 has earned Milutin Sredojevic the coach of the month award and Musa Nyatama the midfielder of the month accolade. I foresee Pirates snapping their winless run against Matsatsantsa.
Ajax Cape Town 2/1
Draw 19/10
Bidvest Wits 15/10
Ajax find themselves in the relegation zone and with the controversy surrounding the eligibility of Tendai Ndoro to play, they’ve elected not to utilise him until the matter is resolved. The Urban Warriors have recently suffered back-to-back defeats against Celtic and AmaZulu.
Bidvest Wits are unbeaten in their last nine league games, however, they are without suspended captain Thulani Hlatshwayo for this clash. The Clever Boys are looking to cement their place in the top eight and I foresee them managing a victory here. My money is on Gavin Hunt’s men.
TREBLE TIPPED @ 12/1
Mamelodi Sundowns 1/1
Orlando Pirates 16/10
Bidvest Wits 15/10
