Log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns will welcome second-place Orlando Pirates in a bid to extend their six-point gap to nine points. These two last met in the final of the Nedbank Cup which was won by Pirates in the dying minutes.
To win (90 min)
Mamelodi Sundowns 21/20 | Draw 21/20 | Orlando Pirates 3/1
Mamelodi Sundowns
Redemption will be on the cards when Masandawana goes head-to-head with Pirates in a highly anticipated match featuring two of the current best teams in the league.
Sundowns extended their lead at the top of the Betway Premiership to six points ahead of rivals Orlando Pirates with a 4-0 victory over Golden Arrows on Sunday. The win propelled the Brazilians to 36 points from 13 matches.
Read: Mamelodi Sundowns v Orlando Pirates: Kick-off time, betting odds, players to watch & more!
Peter Shalulile looks to have rediscovered his scoring form, following a bad start to the season. He has netted four goals in 12 league matches, including a brace in their recent match against Arrows.
The Brazilians have been enjoying a good run of form since Miguel Cardoso took over from Manqoba Mngqithi. They are on the right path to make history and clinch their eighth league title in succession.
Cardoso strengthened his midfield with Jayden Adams who was a long-time servant of Stellenbosch FC. The box-to-box midfielder is a superb addition to the Sundowns set-up.
Adams came in as a substitute against Arrows and played 22 minutes, achieving 100% accuracy in the 19 passes that he completed. It remains to be seen whether or not he will be featured on Wednesday against SuperSport United in the Tshwane Derby.
Orlando Pirates
After a hard-fought victory in the Soweto Derby, secured by Patrick Maswanganyi’s last-minute penalty, the Buccaneers now prepare another challenging match as they face a side that is slightly ahead of them in the race for the Betway Premiership title.
They are determined to avoid finishing as runners-up to Sundowns for a third consecutive season. Sitting second on the log with 30 points, they have secured ten wins and suffered just two losses in their 12 league matches.
Jose Riveiro has built a strong team that seems ready to challenge for trophies, including the league since joining the Sea Robbers in 2022. He has shown extreme confidence in his team after opting not to sign any players during the January transfer window.
“From my perspective, what I can tell you is, we have 37 players in the squad right now – quality and experienced, and good conditions in every position,” he said.
“And, as usual, our obligation as a club is to keep one eye on the market in each and every transfer window, but the fact that this time it didn’t happen, it doesn’t mean that it won’t happen in the future, of course, or that we are not doing our job.
“So far the 37 players we have are the ones that must take us to the place where we want to be at the end of the season, and that’s it,” Riveiro said.
Prediction: Mamelodi Sundowns to win.
The Brazilians haven’t been as dominant on the field as they were last season, but they consistently find a way to secure victories in the end. Lucas Ribeiro has been in excellent form and is currently considered the best player in the league.
Peter Shalulile might have earned himself a place in the starting lineup for this clash after coming in as a substitute against Arrows and changing the game, contributing to three goals and scoring a brace.
Meanwhile, Relebohile Mofokeng continues to showcase his brilliance. He was the one who scored the decisive goal that shattered Sundowns’ hopes of winning the Nedbank Cup last season. The exciting winger is expected to pose a serious challenge to the home side’s defence again.
Pirates remain winless against Sundowns in their last five league encounters, with Sundowns claiming four victories and one draw.
Written by Siphesihle Soni.