The DSTV Premiership is back and Mamelodi Sundowns look to continue with their dominance and win a seventh league title in a row. Cape Town Spurs are still in search of their first victory in the topflight. Here are this week’s DSTV Premiership fixtures.
Wednesday 16 August
Sekhukhune United 31/20 | Draw 27/20 | Moroka Swallows 24/10 (19:30)
Sekhukhune United opened the season with a 2-1 loss against Mamelodi Sundowns while Moroka Swallows played to a 1-1 draw against Lamontville Golden Arrows in their league opener. This is a must-win match for both teams as they want to move into the top 8 and further away from the relegation zone early on. The Dube Birds recently hired Steve Komphela as new head coach and also strengthened their squad with experienced players, including Andile Jali, Gabadinho Mhango, Dumisani Zuma and Tshegofatso Mabasa amongst others. Coming off a 5-0 defeat against Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 quarter-finals, Sekhukhune United will want to use this game to redeem themselves and get back to their winning ways. I’m picking Komphela’s men to come out victorious in this clash at 24/10.
Friday 18 August
SuperSport United 19/20 | Draw 10/18 | Cape Town City FC 29/10 (19:30)
Having won both of their league fixtures this season, Cape Town City will seek to continue their winning ways in an effort to stay in the race for the league title. However, they are facing a very formidable side in third-placed SuperSport United. Coming off a 1-0 defeat in the MTN8 quarter-finals, Gavin Hunt’s men will be dangerous in this match and look to bounce back strongly. There is no obvious winner in this clash, so I tip Both Teams to Score at 21/20.
Royal AM 37/20 | Draw 2/1 | Stellenbosch FC 27/20 (19:30)
This is a must-win game for both teams as they did not have a good start to the season. Royal AM are still looking for their first win of the season after losing 4-2 against Orlando Pirates and starting the season with a goalless draw in their clash against AmaZulu. The Stellies, meanwhile, bounced back to their winning ways, coming off a hard-earned 1-0 victory against SuperSport United in the MTN8. With the fans behind them, 14th-placed Royal AM will need to use their home ground advantage to get all three points, which will surely move them closer to the top 8. A tight affair is expected, but I’m going for the draw.
Saturday 19 August
Polokwane City 12/10 | Draw 18/10 | Cape Town Spurs 49/20 (15:00)
The eighth-positioned Polokwane City FC will be looking to keep their spot on the top 8 by ensuring that they are not the first team to hand Spurs their first win of the season. Shaun Bartlett’s men are seated at the bottom of the log and are facing a daunting task of collecting all three points against a very strong Polokwane City and move away from the relegation zone. After humbling Stellenbosch FC in their season’s opening match, City are indeed a team not to be taken lightly. Polokwane are tipped to win at 12/10.
AmaZulu 12/10 | Draw 33/10 | Richards Bay 26/10 (17:30)
AmaZulu will host Richards Bay at the King Zwelithini Stadium in a cracking KZN derby that promises to be action-packed as both teams look to collect maximum points. Having drawn both of their previous two fixtures, Usuthu are undefeated this season but are seeking their first win. Meanwhile, the Natal Rich Boys have been defeated in both of their two fixtures this term and will need to up their game and come out victorious as their next fixture is against reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns. For this encounter, I’m putting my money on AmaZulu to win and Both Teams to Score at 7/10.
Sunday 20 August
TS Galaxy 26/10 | Draw 51/20 | Kaizer Chiefs 8/10 (15:00)
Amakhosi are looking for their first win of the 2023/24 league season having started their campaign with a draw against Chippa United and a 2-1 defeat against Mamelodi Sundowns. Molefi Ntseki’s men are looking to improve their performance coming off a 2-1 victory against a daunting Cape Town City. TS Galaxy are not a team to be taken lightly, having finished 10th place last season.
They will surely give it their all to avoid defeat in front of their home crowd. The Rocket’s defence will have their hands full with Kaizer Chiefs’ attacking combination consisting of Edson Castillo, Ranga Chivaviro and Ashley Du Preez which has been proving to be problematic for many teams lately. This will be an exciting match; my money is on Chiefs to win.
