This weekend has it all in the DStv Premiership. Local rivalries, relegation battles, frantic fans and under pressure coaches! Royal AM and AmaZulu host the big one in KZN, while Swallows and Baroka fight for survival at Dobsonville. All eyes will be on Kaizer Chiefs, who seek redemption after losing to SuperSport United, adding more pressure to Stuart Baxter.
Saturday 23 April
19/20 Golden Arrows | Draw 2/1 | Sekhukhune United 33/10 (15:00)
Golden Arrows’ spot in the top eight now looks unlikely to be achieved after suffering consecutive defeats against Mamelodi Sundowns and Stellenbosch. In that time, they shipped in eight goals, with six of them coming in their last encounter against the champions.
Sekhukhune United have been none the better and have lost 11 times this term. The visitors are winless in six games and like Arrows, are outside the top eight. My money is on Under 2.5 Goals at 11/20.
29/20 TS Galaxy | 19/10 | Maritzburg United 21/10 (15:00)
Another relegation six-pointer is on the horizon this weekend as TS Galaxy host Maritzburg United at the Mbombela Stadium. The Rockets claimed an important 1-0 victory over Sekhukhune United in their last tie and are now above Swallows and Baroka having played the same amount of games.
Maritzburg United were defeated in the KZN derby at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, losing 1-0 to AmaZulu in Durban. That loss stretched the Team of Choice’s winless run to four matches. Both teams have lacked consistency, therefore I fancy a draw at 19/10.
22/10 Stellenbosch FC | 2/1 | Kaizer Chiefs 13/10 (17:00)
Pressure continued to mount on Stuart Baxter after suffering a 1-0 defeat to SuperSport United in front of the Kaizer Chiefs fans, while the comments that followed struck an even piercing knife to the Amakhosi juggler, saying that he is the only coach to bring success to Naturena in the last 20 years.
Stellies beat Chiefs in the previous encounter at FNB Stadium and will be looking to complete the double over the Glamour Boys, who dropped down to fourth in the standings after their latest setback. With the fans on their side, I’m backing Stellenbosch on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 11/20.
2/1 Marumo Gallants | 2/1 | SuperSport 29/20 (19:30)
Marumo Gallants have taken a slight dip in form, now enduring a four-game winless run in the DStv Premiership. That has kept them outside of the top eight and with very little chance of earning a spot in the top half of the table at the end of the season.
SuperSport United got back to winning ways after parting ways with Kaitano Tembo, beating Kaizer Chiefs in their own backyard. United looked a different side and will be raring to kick on in Gqeberha. Take United here at a decent price of 29/20.
Sunday 24 April
11/10 Swallows | 21/10 | Baroka FC 26/10 (15:00)
The ultimate six-pointer takes place on Sunday as the league’s two bottom teams square off at Dobsonville.
Baroka have struggled against the so-called lesser teams in the league, which is costly in this league as there are much more small sides in comparison to big ones. The visitors have lost 15 times this campaign, while Swallows have won just three times – less than any other team in the league. Take Under 2.5 Goals at 4/10.
11/10 Royal AM | 22/10 | AmaZulu 5/2 (15:00)
Royal AM continued their impressive showing as they earned an emphatic 1-1 draw in Cape Town against City. That result solidified their spot in second place after Kaizer Chiefs lost to SuperSport United last weekend.
AmaZulu are off the back of a derby victory over Maritzburg United and now face their toughest local rivalry yet this term. Usuthu have won back to back encounters in the league, but this might be too tough of a task for me. My money is on Royal AM!
DOUBLE @ 4/1
SuperSport United Win 29/20
Royal AM Win 11/10
