Our local football scribe previews round 29 of the 2016/17 season of the ABSA Premiership.
The PSL has been as unpredictable as ever this season! At one stage there were at least six teams in with a genuine title-challenge. It’s now realistically down to Bidvest Wits and defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns!
Just two points separate the sides with the Clever Boys leading the pack, however, Wits are still to travel to Kaizer Chiefs this weekend, making the final round of PSL football, all the more mouth-watering!
Tuesday 17 May
Orlando Pirates 11/10 | Draw 22/10 | Ajax Cape Town 24/10
Orlando Pirates are safe from the drop and have a Nedbank Cup semi-final clash at Princess Magogo Stadium against Golden Arrows to deal with this coming weekend, so we are likely to see a few changes from the Bucs starting line-up. Pirates have managed just one win from their last 19 matches and should struggle against an in-form Ajax team.
The Urban Warriors are on a three-match winning streak, ousting Platinum Stars 2-0, edging Chippa United 1-0 and finally claiming a 2-0 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic last time out. Ajax have been solid defensively and should come away with a positive result here. Back the away team on the win/draw Double Chance at 6/10.
Mamelodi Sundowns 1/3 | Draw 33/10 | Maritzburg Utd 10/1
Sundowns failed to leapfrog Bidvest Wits last time out, after shipping a two goal lead to draw 2-2 on home soil against relegation-candidates Baroka FC. The Brazilians can’t afford another mishap when they play host to Maritzburg United, who have lost five of their last six matches on their travels.
Sundowns have lost just once on their ground all season, scoring 34 goals and conceding just eight times. They are unbeaten against The Teams of Choice in the last eight meetings and look likely to extend that. Back Sundowns to claim maximum points.
Platinum Stars 22/10 | Draw 22/10 | Kaizer Chiefs 12/10
Platinum Stars have been dismal in recent weeks with just one victory from their last eight matches. Dikwena have one of the worst home records in the league this season but will look to keep Kazier Chiefs at bay.
The Glamour Boys come into this clash without a win in their last four matches, including a 1-0 defeat at Polokwane City. Nonetheless, AmaKhosi are placed fifth on the table and will be gunning for a place in the top four. A tight affair is on the cards but Chiefs are tipped to claim a hard-fought and narrow victory.
Bloem Celtic 12/10 | Draw 21/10 | Free State Stars 23/10
Celtic and Free State Stars will reignite their rivalry in what promises to be a cagey derby. The home side are without a win in their last seven matches, while Free State Stars are off the back of an impressive and surprising 3-1 home victory over title-chasing Bidvest Wits.
Phunya Sele Sele fell to a 2-0 defeat at Ajax Cape Town last time out and will be eager to return to winning ways. Stars on the other hand, will be on a high following their morale boosting win over the Students. Ea Lla Koto have won four of the last five meetings against Celtic and are well worth a strike on the win/draw Double Chance at 11/20.
Bidvest Wits 9/20 | Draw 29/10 | Polokwane City 13/2
This is a must win game for Wits, who are being pressured at the top of the standings by second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns. The Students fell to a shock 3-1 defeat at Free State Stars last time out and will be desperate to return to winning ways. Wits have the best home record in the league, with 11 wins from 14 games, scoring 31 goals and conceding just nine times.
Polokwane City have been in top form with four wins from their last five matches, including a hard-earned 1-0 home win over Kaizer Chiefs last time out. However, it has been a different story on the road with just three wins from 14 away days. It won’t be as one sided as most people are expecting but Wits should be backed for the win.
Cape Town City 5/10 | Draw 26/10 | Golden Arrows 6/1
Cape Town City’s hopes of winning the title took a major dent last time out, going down 4-2 at SuperSport United. They will return to home soil where they are unbeaten in their last eight matches with five wins and three draws, including consecutive victories against Kaizer Chiefs (3-2) and Free State Stars (1-0).
Golden Arrows are still looking to break into the top eight but will have one eye on the Nedbank Cup semi-final against Orlando Pirates this weekend. Abafana Bes’thende are winless in their last nine away trips with six losses and three stalemates. The home team is tipped to get up for the win.
Baroka FC 12/10 | Draw 21/10 | Highlands Park 23/10
Baroka FC and highlands Park will go toe-to-toe in a relegation-battle. It’s an all or nothing type of game with both sides in danger of facing the drop to the NFD. Baroka FC have managed just one win from their last six matches and their opponents have been just as poor.
The reverse tie ended 2-1 in favour of Highlands Park but which one of the newcomers will walk away with the all-important three points this time around? Baroka FC are unbeaten in their last three games on their ground and are tipped to utilize home advantage against a Highlands Park side who have been poor on the road. Get on the home win.
Chippa United 18/10 | 22/10 | SuperSport United 14/10
Chippa United and SuperSport will clash for the first time in the space of a few days with the clubs set to square off on Saturday afternoon in a Nedbank Cup semi-final. The Chilli Boys are fighting relegation and cannot afford to give some of their first side players a rest. They are without a win in their last 13 matches but with their backs against the wall, I believe Chippa United could pull a rabbit of a hat.
SuperSport United have been impressive in recent weeks with an unbeaten run of five matches, including two wins on the bounce. Matsatsantsa have also won their last two travels and will be looking to make it three on the spin. However, I still feel Chippa United might be more up for this game than SuperSport, who are safe from relegation and can only aim for a higher position on the table. The sides are tipped to share the spoils.
TREBLE TIPPED @ 19/2
Kaizer Chiefs Win (12/10)
Cape Town City (5/10)
Chippa United/SuperSport United Draw (22/10)
Written by Aaron Crowie @Hollywoodbets
