We’re almost halfway through the DStv Premiership and its far from a one-horse race with Mamelodi Sundowns, Swallows and SuperSport United all in with a shout for the title. Golden Arrows are also in the mix and remain one of three unbeaten teams in the division after last weekend. They play Orlando Pirates in midweek before a daunting trip to Cape Town City, who recently lost 2-1 to a rejuvenated Kaizer Chiefs team.
*Please note that this preview was written prior to midweek’s DStv Premiership fixtures
Saturday 23 January
Mamelodi Sundowns 17/20
Draw 22/10
Swallows 33/10
(15:00)
Mamelodi Sundowns edged Swallows on goal difference to win the first Q-Innovation of the season and will be hoping to oust their opponents on the playing field as well as the champions host their fiery contenders on Saturday. To date, the pair are joint-leaders with 25 points from 11 matches and have both looked lightyears ahead of the rest of the league, despite not being as far ahead as they should be. Sundowns have not conceded in their last three encounters prior to midweek, but Swallows have looked menacing, getting positive results over Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City already this month. My money is on a draw.
Black Leopards 12/10
Draw 2/1
Chippa United 22/10
(15:30)
Black Leopards pulled off one of the most impressive results of the season when they beat Orlando Pirates 2-0 in Thohoyandou this past weekend. Lidoda Duvha ended a run of five games without victory with that result. Chippa United start the week off in 16th place after their game against TS Galaxy was postponed this past weekend. As well-rested as Chippa may be, they haven’t looked good in recent matches. I fancy Black Leopards to snatch another victory here.
Maritzburg United 15/10
Draw 2/1
Orlando Pirates 37/20
(17:00)
Orlando Pirates will be hoping to turn their season around when they make the trip to Ernst Middendorp’s Maritzburg United. The Team of Choice have looked like a much better side under the German’s tutelage and are unbeaten in four matches at the time of writing, beating Kaizer Chiefs and Bloemfontein Celtic. Pirates’ form has been indifferent since ending their trophy drought in the MTN8, winning just two of the five games that followed. Looking at the form guide, I would have to back the hosts to get a point.
Baroka 12/10
Draw 2/1
AmaZulu 22/10
(17:00)
Baroka seem to be telling the same story each season as they continue to drop down the table after a bright start to the season. The Limpopo-based side look to be getting worse as the weeks go by, losing four of their last five matches at the time of writing. AmaZulu are slowly finding their rhythm under Benni McCarthy but the results haven’t been forthcoming with Usuthu still winless outside Durban. Boring, I know, but my money is on another stalemate.
Stellenbosch 28/10
Draw 22/10
Kaizer Chiefs 9/10
(17:00)
Kaizer Chiefs have looked like a different beast in recent weeks and much of their improvements are down to the return of Samir Nurkovic. The Serbian marksman gives Amakhosi direction and a potent goal threat up front. Credit should also go to Gavin Hunt though who has tweaked the system to get the best out of certain individuals in the team. Stellenbosch have been consistent performers at top flight level and look to be a mainstay in the top eight. Stellies are unbeaten in their last four matches at the time of writing, although Chiefs did claim maximum points in their last visit to the Western Cape. I fancy the Glamour Boys to continue their emphatic turnaround with a win in Stellenbosch.
Sunday 24 January
Tshakhuma FC 7/2
Draw 22/10
SuperSport United 15/20
(15:30)
Tshakhuma are hindering over the relegation spots in 14th place, but have played a game more than the two clubs below them. The hosts have won just once this term, beating Baroka, and look destined to be in a relegation scramble for here on out through the season. SuperSport United kept themselves in the mix after holding Mamelodi Sundowns to a goalless draw in the Tshwane derby. That result stretched Matsatsantsa’s unbeaten run to seven league matches. Back the visitors here.
Cape Town City 5/4
Draw 5/2
Golden Arrows 2/1
(15:30)
Cape Town City lock horns with Golden Arrows in what is looking like one of the ties of the round as City’s winless run stretched to three games this past weekend after a 2-1 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs. Arrows, on the other hand, are still unbeaten at the time of writing, but have won just one of their four games played away from Claremont. It’s looking like a popular result this weekend, but my money is on another draw.
TREBLE @ 6/1
Black Leopards Win 12/10
Kaizer Chiefs Win 9/10
SuperSport United Win 15/20
Written by Jesse Nagel