With the Carling Knockout Cup having been wrapped up, our focus now shifts back to the DStv Premiership. Siphesihle Soni previews the round 15 action.
Mamelodi Sundowns have extended their winning run to eleven matches in the DStv Premiership and will be facing the high-flying Cape Town City who have proven to be a side who don’t go down easily. Second-place SuperSport United on the other hand will battle Orlando Pirates in a must-win clash to stay in the number two spot and close the gap between them and Sundowns.
Meanwhile, at the bottom of the log, things are still not looking good for Cape Town Spurs despite the changes in their technical team as they suffered their thirteenth league defeat and are still at the bottom of the pile with three points followed by Richards Bay FC who have also been struggling to collect points.
Friday 22 December
AmaZulu 7/10 | Draw 23/10 | Cape Town Spurs 15/4 (19:30)
Usuthu head into this match brimming with confidence after their resounding 1-0 victory against Sekhukhune United. They are now targeting Cape Town Spurs as their next victims in their bid to move into the top eight. They are currently tenth on the log with eighteen points.
Spurs on the other hand are expected to fight tooth and nail to get their second win since gaining promotion to the top division. They face an uphill battle of defeating Usuthu in its home. Home team to win.
Saturday 23 December
Chippa United 13/10 | Draw 2/1 | Polokwane 2/1 (15:30)
Things have been rocky for the Chilli Boys lately having had issues at the back, they have scored 11 goals and conceded 12. Having recently ended a six-match winless run with a 2-0 victory over Golden Arrows and keeping a clean sheet, they seem to have turned things around. A win against Polokwane is vital for Morgan Mammila’s side.
Rise and Shine have not been victorious in their past six matches in all competitions, and this has resulted in them dropping to 12th spot on the log. They are desperate to turn things around and start collecting points to avoid relegation. I see this being a cagey clash ending in a draw.
Golden Arrows 8/10 | Draw 22/10 | TS Galaxy 33/10 (15:30)
Arrows had a great start to their 2023/2024 season and climbed as high as second at one point. However, the wheels have since come off, and they dropped into the seventh place following six straight losses. They need to win this match to be able to regain some much-needed confidence.
Sead Ramovic’s side are coming to this match at the back of a loss against Stellenbosch FC in the final of the Carling Knockout Cup, they will be looking to redeem themselves while avoiding a third straight loss. They are currently 14th on the log and that is too close to the relegation zone. TS Galaxy to win this clash. Arrows have simply not been good enough lately.
Kaizer Chiefs 5/10 | Draw 5/2 | Richards Bay 11/2 (15:30)
Amakhosi will be aiming for their third consecutive victory when they face the relegation-threatened Richards Bay. Pule Mmodi who scored in their recent 1-0 win against Polokwane has been instrumental for the Naturena side lately. With their star striker Ashley Du Preez who has contributed to five goals side-lined due to an injury, Chiefs have been finding it difficult to score goals with Ranga Chivaviro, Christian Saile and Jason Gonzalez battling to find the back of the net.
The Natal Rich Boys will look to slay the Soweto Giants and grab the sort of confidence-booster that could help them kick away from relegation zone. A win against Chiefs in their backyard will not be a walk in the park, though. They conceded three goals early in the first half in their recent clash against Royal AM. Kaitano Tembo needs to strengthen his defence to avoid another loss. Chiefs to get the victory at home.
Royal AM 14/10 | Draw 2/1 | Swallows 18/10 (15:30)
Royal AM are heading to this match beaming with confidence having won their past two matches and with the problems that their visitors have been experiencing lately, they are favourites to win this clash.
Things have not been going well for the Birds lately, they have suffered three consecutive losses. Another defeat may see them drop out of the top eight and closer to the relegation zone. This clash is vital for both sides, and it is expected to be highly contested as both teams are in dire need of a win. Maybe one to avoid, but I’m leaning toward Swallows picking up a vital away win.
SuperSport United 14/10 | Draw 2/1 | Pirates 18/10 (17:40)
Amantsantsantsa will go head-to-head with Orlando Pirates in a battle for the number two spot. The sides are separated by a single point and will be aiming for all three points on Saturday to narrow the gap between them and log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. Gavin Hunt’s men have a score to settle against the Bucs having suffered a 1-0 loss in their last meeting.
The Buccaneers on the other hand have not tasted defeat in their last six matches, they won five and the other clash ended in a goalless draw. They will be looking to use this momentum to edge out the Pretoria side. With the return of Thembinkosi Lorch and Karim Kimvuidi picking up his form, United will have their work cut out for them. Pirates are coming to this match at the back of a hard-fought 2-1 against Golden Arrows. SuperSport will take some confidence from their CAFCC win over Al Hilal. I’m backing the Tshwane side to come good here.
Sunday 24 December
Cape Town City 28/10 | Draw 22/10 | Sundowns 9/10 (15:30)
The Citizens had were given a bit of a bloody nose by Stellenbosch when they went down 1-0 in a highly contested Cape derby. They will be looking to bounce back at the expense of Sundowns. They are currently number four on the log with 25 points and a win in this clash may see them jump to the number two spot.
Sundowns played and won all their 11 league matches and are expected to come out strong to extend their win run to twelve. Despite their busy schedule which has seen them competing in continental competitions as well as the DStv Premiership, Amasandawana seems to have been getting the required results. However, Eric Tinkler’s side is not to be taken lightly. I back Sundowns to win.
