With just a handful of fixtures taking place in the DStv Premiership this weekend, perhaps it will give us an advantage in analysing Gameweek 16 as we turn our attention to as little as four matches. With the continental giants honouring their CAF duties, the show goes on as Chippa United return to Port Elizabeth in the league for the first time since November when they host TS Galaxy. Also on Saturday, Baroka and Black Leopards lock horns in the Limpopo derby, while Cape Town City and Swallows headline this weekend’s action on Sunday.
Saturday 20 February
Chippa United 12/10
Draw 2/1
TS Galaxy 24/10
(15:30)
Chippa United seem to be on the rise in the past few weeks in the DStv Premiership and look to be distancing themselves from the relegation zone. The Chilli Boys have lost just one of their last four league games and that came against Mamelodi Sundowns, so perhaps we could draw a line through that tie. In that same run, Chippa drew at Swallows and Bloemfontein Celtic and beat Black Leopards 3-0. TS Galaxy have turned the corner themselves, enduring a three-game unbeaten run in the league, beating Black Leopards and Maritzburg United 3-0 either side of a 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates. I’m expecting a tight encounter here, but the visitors are tipped to just about edge it.
Baroka 8/10
Draw 22/10
Black Leopards 36/10
(17:00)
Baroka have taken a slight dip in form after their emphatic start to the season and are now winless in three league matches. They did, however, hold Cape Town City and Kaizer Chiefs to a 1-1 draw, highlighting that they’re no pushovers – but only on their day. Black Leopards look down for the count and are set for yet another relegation scramble at the end of the season. Lidoda Duvha have lost four games on the bounce, while they’re also yet to win a match away from home. I shouldn’t, but I’m making Baroka a banker here.
Sunday 21 February
Tshakhuma TM 13/10
Draw 2/1
Stellenbosch 22/10
(15:30)
Tshakhuma’s run of five straight defeats ended as they won the six-pointer between themselves and Maritzburg United last Friday. That result took Tshakhuma out of the relegation play-off spot and up into 13th. Stellenbosch are winless in six matches and after a bright start to their season, they now find themselves in 12th spot, three points ahead of their opponents here. Stellies have also lost three of their last four ties, which doesn’t bode well against any opposition – even Tshakhuma. I fancy a draw in this encounter.
Cape Town City 15/10
Draw 2/1
Swallows 37/20
(15:30)
In what is undoubtedly the tie of the round, Cape Town City welcome title-chasing Swallows to the Western Cape. The hosts are without a win in their last three matches, drawing at Baroka which was followed by back-to-back defeats against Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United. Swallows are just one of two unbeaten teams in the DStv Premiership this season – along with Mamelodi Sundowns – but just as they’ve been hard to beat this term, they’re also finding it difficult to win matches again. The Dube Birds have drawn their last four DStv Premiership games in succession, although they did beat City 3-2 in the reverse fixture. It may seem like a long shot, but I’m backing Swallows to do the double over Cape Town City.
QUAD @ 51/1
TS Galaxy Win 24/10
Baroka FC Win 8/10
Tshakhuma vs Stellenbosch Draw 2/1
Swallows Win 37/20
Written by Jesse Nagel