If there's one team in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has had almost everything going well for them so far this season, it has to be Orlando Pirates.
The Jose Riveiro-coached Buccaneers have managed positive starts in the MTN8, reaching the October 5 final, and Caf Champions League where they look set to qualify for the group stages for the first time since the 2018/19 season.
Now the Sea Robbers will be looking to keep that momentum going when they kick off their participation in the Betway Premiership new campaign.
Pirates host Chippa United at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday at 19:30.
Here, we bring you everything you need to know about the clash and how you can place a bet on the fixture.
Chilli Boys aim for early season upset against Mighty Bucs
After finishing as the bridesmaid twice on the trot to Mamelodi Sundowns in the previous campaigns, the mission for the Soweto giants this season is to go a step further and win the league title.
Winning the first match doesn’t guarantee one of the top honours but it certainly does lay a good foundation and set the tone for the rest of the campaign.
That’s what the Sea Robbers aim for in their opening clash against the Chilli Boys.
Unlike Chippa, who will be playing their first competitive match of the season, Pirates have played at least six high-stake clashes and remain unbeaten.
Riveiro’s men played three matches in the MTN8 against SuperSport United and twice against Cape Town City.
They also played three games in the Champions League preliminary rounds, two times against Disciples FC of Madagascar and Jwaneng Galaxy on Saturday.
They are more match-ready than the Chilli Boys, who have played only friendlies in the pro-longed pre-season period.
Staying true to themselves, the Eastern Cape-based outfit head into the new campaign with a coaching change.
Kwanele Kopo (pictured below) will sit on the bench against Pirates as the head coach. This after last season he was in a co-coaching situation with former SuperSport midfielder Thabo September, who has since been demoted to assistant coach.
Kopo is desperate for a positive start to please and remain on the right side of his trigger-happy boss and club chairman Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi.
These different scenarios make the clash equally important for the two sides and a match worth one’s attention.
How to watch
This midweek clash will be carried live by pay-TV giants SuperSport, on their PSL channel 202.
The broadcast will include a build-up with analysis from football experts which starts at 19:00. There will also be a broadcast on different SABC radio stations.
Betting odds
Here at Hollywoodbets, Pirates have been listed as clear favourites to get the better of Kopo’s men at Orlando Stadium.
As mentioned earlier, the Sea Robbers wouldn’t want to drop points so early as it might come back to haunt them later in the season.
But Chippa have made decent signings, and their players will be motivated to do well against one of the league’s big giants.
The match looks set to produce a few goals considering how well Pirates have played since the start of the season. You can place a bet here.
4/10 Orlando Pirates | Draw 3/1 | Chippa United 6/1
☠️ Next Up at Orlando Stadium
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) September 16, 2024
🏆#BetwayPrem
🆚@ChippaUnitedFC
🏟️Orlando Stadium
🗓️18 September 2024
⏰19H30
🎟️@TicketProSA
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⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/fuMFd809Hm
Orlando Stadium
Recently, the 40,000-seater venue, found at Orlando East in Soweto, has always been buzzing when Pirates are playing there and it’s likely to be the case when they get their league campaign underway on Wednesday.
Riveiro has not just turned the Soweto giants into a trophy-winning machine, but they also play a nice brand of football.
That has helped to bring supporters back to Orlando Stadium and every venue where Pirates are billed to play.
Chippa will have to cope against scores of supporters rooting for the home side.
Tickets for the match are available from R60.00 at Ticketpro outlets and online.
Last meeting
The last meeting between the two sides was a league clash at Orlando Stadium where Pirates recorded a 2-0 victory over the Chilli Boys on May 8.
Thabiso Monyane and Tshegofatso Mabasa were on the scoresheet that day as Chippa failed to break down Pirates’ solid defence.
Head-to-head
The Soweto giants have dominated this clash with 16 victories over Chippa’s four. The fixture has produced only three draws.
8 May 2024: Orlando Pirates 2-0 Chippa United
4 May 2024: Chippa United 1-3 Orlando Pirates
15 August 2023: Chippa United 1-1 Orlando Pirates
8 April 2023: Chippa United 0-2 Orlando Pirates
14 August 2022: Orlando Pirates 0-1 Chippa United
Players to watch
The way Pirates have been so good this season makes it difficult to choose players to watch. It is even harder to imagine for opposing coaches who must devise a plan to stop Riveiro’s men.
Mabasa appears to be continuing where he left off last season, with at least two goals next to his name in the new campaign.
There’s still the troublesome trio of Patrick Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng and Monnapule Saleng.
Also, you can’t leave players such as Bafana Bafana’s newest star, Thalente Mbatha, and Deon Hotto unguarded while Thabiso Sesane and Olisa Ndah have been rock-solid at the back.
For Chippa, they will hope that players such as Andile Jali (pictured above), Gadiel Kamagi and Siphelo Baloni, on loan from Pirates, quickly find their feet in their new surroundings and perform to their best abilities against the mighty Bucs.
🌶️
— Chippa United FC (@ChippaUnitedFC) September 16, 2024
Chippa United FC is thrilled to announce the official launch of our brand-new kit for the 2024/2025 season, designed to embody the passion, pride, and resilience of our beloved club. This momentous occasion also saw the introduction of our latest signings who are set to… pic.twitter.com/L4QBm2SoBG
