Our football pundit previews the PSL Gameweek Two action which kicks off on Friday 9 August 2019.
For the first time since the 2012/13 season, Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs all won their opening league game. Bidvest Wits were undoubtedly the best turned up team after they thrashed AmaZulu 3-0 at the King Zwelithini Stadium. The Buccaneers and Sundowns miss out this weekend due to CAF Champions League commitments, while Wits play in the CAF Confederations Cup, leaving us with only five fixtures. There may be a shortage of games, but there’s plenty of value and serious money can be made.
Friday 9 August
Maritzburg United 12/10
Draw 37/20
Highlands Park 26/10
Highlands Park were a real force in the Absa Premiership last season. Their impressive performances on their return to South Africa’s top-flight saw them grab a ticket to the MTN 8 tournament. Maritzburg United, meanwhile, were chasing a dead cause. They failed to make any kind of an impact and had to settle for a 15th position finish, out of a total 16 in contention, only managing to survive relegation via the playoffs.
Both teams were looking for a good start on matchday one but neither club made progress in that regard as they both lost their opening fixtures. The Team of Choice will look to avoid defeat by all means as they don’t want to find themselves in the same situation as last season, where they played catch-up the entire campaign. Back these sides to cancel each other out.
Saturday 10 August
Polokwane City 13/10
Draw 18/10
AmaZulu 5/2
Polokwane City saw their hard work pay off when they came out on top against Black Leopards to claim maximum points in the Limpopo derby at a sold-out Thohoyandou Stadium. AmaZulu had a disappointing campaign last time out and finished in the bottom half of the table, five points shy of being in the relegation zone.
The Usuthu fans were calling for coach Cavin Johnson’s head towards the end of last season and those voices are getting louder and louder, especially after seeing their team being thrashed 3-0 at home last Saturday in what will go down as one of their worst performances at the King Zwelithini Stadium. Get on Polokwane City to add more woes in the KZN camp.
Cape Town City 9/10
Draw 2/1
Stellenbosch 7/2
Cape Town City’s main problems last season were letting in way too many easy goals, conceding 35 goals, and that was the difference from the hard work they put up front as they scored more goals (47) than any other side. City were 2-0 up in 30 minutes against Baroka in the opening round but they went into the break level at 2-2. Benni McCarthy really needs to get top defenders or he will continue losing points.
Stellenbosch made their PSL debut last Saturday, with the newcomers managing to get a point and a clean sheet, playing to a goalless draw at Chippa United. I don’t see them keeping a clean sheet against this free-scoring City team and I don’t see them getting anything also. Cape Town City are a banker here and should be included in all bets.
Kaizer Chiefs 15/20
Draw 9/4
Black Leopards 17/4
Kaizer Chiefs grinded three points at Highlands Park last weekend, easing the pressure on coach Ernst Middendorp going into this game. This match will be played at Chiefs’ alternative home ground which is the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Three of their new signings started and two of them managed to assist Lebogang Manyama who scored a brace.
The other new boy Yagan Sasman was suspended which saw Lorenzo Gordinho starting at left-back. If Manyama and Khama Billiat can be at their best and be consistent than Amakhosi will be difficult to play against. Get on Kaizer Chiefs to make it two wins on the bounce.
Sunday 11 August
Bloemfontein Celtic 31/20
Draw 18/10
Golden Arrows 2/1
Bloemfontein Celtic were crippled last season, losing a lot of key players who played a role in the fantastic run they had under coach Steve Komphela whom they face in this matchup. Amongst the players, Siwelele lost goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb, Alfred Ndengane, Lorenzo Gordinho, Bongani Sam and their top scorer Tshegofatso Mabasa. B,
ecause of financial reasons, it was hard for the Free State team to get top replacements for these players. Golden Arrows needed one shot on target to beat Maritzburg United in the KZN derby last Sunday. Since leaving Celtic, Komphela has visited Free State twice, earning a draw in the league whilst defeating them in the Nedbank Cup. Back Steve Komphela to upset his former club at 2/1.
TREBLE @ 66/10
Cape Town City Win 9/10
Kaizer Chiefs Win 15/20
Polokwane City Win 13/10
Written by Banele Pikwa
