Let’s get our skin in the game this diski weekend before we turn our attention to Hugo Broos and Bafana Bafana’s road to Qatar.
Finally, a full complement of fixtures over the weekend in the DStv Premiership. It goes without saying, the big one is here! Soweto Derby, Kaizer Chiefs versus Orlando Pirates takes centre stage this Saturday, and despite the question of “Is it still the same?”, we will have our eyes glued to the screens (because we’re denied stadium access).
Yet, there is much more to enjoy! Sundowns are surely looking to extend their time without conceding, and Stellenbosch will want to remain unbeaten. After slipping points, SuperSport United face TS Galaxy in hopes of bouncing back and Royal AM aim to seek and destroy when they welcome Baroka to KZN.
Friday 5 November
SuperSport United 4/10
Draw 7/2
TS Galaxy 13/2
(17:30)
SuperSport United took another blow at the top of the table after failing to see off Royal AM losing 2-1 away in KZN. Another goal by Thamsanqa Gabuza yet again midway in the first half saw them take the lead after dominating the first half, but a red card for Luke Fleurs and two goals in the dying minutes saw Royal AM extend their unbeaten run to seven games. In just as weird fashion, TS Galaxy picked up their first win of the season, scoring the winner in stoppage time last time out beating Baroka 2-1. SuperSport has lost two games back-to-back, but their quality in play surpasses TS Galaxy. Back the home team to get back to winning ways.
Saturday 6 November
Kaizer Chiefs 37/20
Draw 2/1
Orlando Pirates 17/10
(17:30)
Without question the biggest match of the weekend, the Soweto Derby, Kaizer Chiefs take on Orlando Pirates. Chiefs recently got back to winning ways, only for coach Stuart Baxter to tinker with the formation, losing to Stellenbosch via a moment of Ashley Du Preez brilliance I must add. The co-coaches of Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids on the other hand have had a decent run despite just one loss to the undefeated Mamelodi Sundowns this campaign. The Buccaneers have failed to convert chances to take all three points in many of their fixtures, drawing five of their nine.
With poor form from both clubs and the PSL still withholding the opportunity for fans back in attendance, the atmosphere around the Soweto Derby has taken a bit of a nosedive. I personally, am still eagerly anticipating how this fixture pans out. Some players that have been selected for Bafana Bafana are sure to be looking to continue their form into the international break, and individual brilliance could be the key to this fixture. Back the Draw & Both Teams To Score (Yes) at 39/10.
Stellenbosch FC 12/10
Draw 22/10
Golden Arrows 49/20
(17:00)
Stellenbosch are riding high after sticking to the gameplan and Ashley Du Preez finding a moment of ‘diski artistry’ to beat Kaizer Chiefs. Stellenbosch sit second on the table with an unbeaten run of four draws and five wins managing four clean sheets. The Stellies outfit are a ball playing team, but as displayed against Chiefs, they are able to stay disciplined to an alternative gameplan with a lot of men behind the ball. Golden Arrows have had a tough run and travelling to the Western Cape will be another difficult feat after losing 4-3 to Cape Town City last time they were in the Mother City. Stellenbosch are in fine form, and dismantling the Lamontville outfit will not be difficult, put Stellenbosch in all multiples.
Sunday 7 November
Royal AM 17/20
Draw 28/10
Baroka FC 3/1
(15:30)
The team we love to hate, or are they actually growing in our hearts? Royal AM sit third on the table behind Sundowns and Stellies respectively, on a seven-match unbeaten run with results over “big boys” Pirates and Chiefs and passing their most recent test with flying colours beating SuperSport United 2-1. Victor Letsoalo’s recent call-up to Bafana Bafana is evidence of his form at club level, but he will miss out on the national teams first of two fixtures, so his bound to get a full 90 to terrorize Baroka. Bakgaka are slow starters, and sometimes they just do not start at all, with at least one first half goal in 88% of their PSL games this season. Back the “Spice People” to win in the Half Time/Full Time market at 19/10.
Chippa United 2/1
Draw 2/1
Maritzburg United 15/10
(15:30)
Separated by four points, Chippa languish in 14th while Maritzburg United are 11th. Gavin Hunt surprisingly holds onto his job after winning just one game this season and failing to score in the last four fixtures. In my opinion, this is a must win game if the Chili Boys have any hope of clawing their way up from the bottom. Maritzburg on the other hand fought hard against Sundowns last time out, trying to stuff the fluidity Masandawa have put into their game in recent years, but lost 1-0. While this might be Chippa’s opportunity, I cannot see anything coming the way of the Gqeberha based outfit, Double Chance: Draw/Win for the Away Team at 1/3 for any and every slip you have, absolute banker.
Swallows FC 18/10
Draw 9/4
Sekhukhune United 16/10
(15:30)
Sekhukhune’s new signing Seth Parusnath opened the scoring in style last time out against big boys Orlando Pirates but were unable to hold their nerve succumbing to a 2-1 defeat. Now, against an opponent regarded in a similar category of calibre, redemption after losing their first game in four fixtures beckons. However, the return of head coach Brendon Truter has proven the return of Swallows, drawing their last three fixtures against high flying Stellenbosch, low sailing Chippa, and bang average Golden Arrows. Swallows make it so hard to back against them, but in return just as difficult to back them. Money on the draw is money well spent.
Marumo Gallants 52/10
Draw 33/10
Mamelodi Sundowns 5/10
(17:30)
After quite ridiculous midweek controversy against AmaZulu, Marumo Gallants face undefeated Mamelodi Sundowns. While I hope the MTN8 champions thrash Gallants for the ill-discipline (in no disrespectful way), they play decent football despite being at the foot of the table. Sundowns are a different beast altogether, with Peter Shalulile stunning the fanbase again with a sumptuous finish last time out. Bet on the away team to take this win.
AmaZulu 14/10
Draw 2/1
Cape Town City 22/10
(18:00)
Benni McCarthy faces, yet again, his former employers for revenge after Cape Town City knocked him and AmaZulu out the MTN8 earlier in the year. A first for AmaZulu is qualifying for CAF Champions League group stages, but a poor start to the DStv Premiership campaign has some publications criticizing the stars managerial abilities yet again. Both teams sit slap bang in the middle of the table with City eighth on 12 points and Usuthu ninth, on 10 points. A win would mean a lot for either team. Erik Tinkler’s men play a quick running game and they do so consistently, while AmaZulu find each other well, but fail to convert in the final third. I can’t pick a winner, but this fixture will be an open one with the Totals market appealing at 17/10 for Over 2.5 goals.
TREBLE @ 11/1
Royal AM Win – Half Time/Full Time 19/10
Maritzburg United – Double Chance: Draw/Win 1/3
Mamelodi Sundowns Win 5/10
Written by Joshua Gaillard