We are back up and running in the DStv Premiership, and we have four cracking fixtures this weekend to look forward to.
Saturday’s double header sees a matchup of two strugglers up first in KZN based Maritzburg United welcoming bottom of the table TS Galaxy, followed by Cape Town City who have been rather unlucky to find results against a point finding Golden Arrows.
Sunday brings more action with the first fixture having Gavin Hunt and Brendan Truter fighting for their jobs, only to have another feast on our screens in the form of a high-flying SuperSport United matching up against Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs who have seemingly turned a corner.
Let’s get deeper into these fixtures.
Saturday 23 October
Maritzburg United 1/1
Draw 22/10
TS Galaxy 28/10
(15:30)
TS Galaxy travel to KZN in hopes of redemption in the league. It has been a rough start from bad results, to coaching and back-room staff changes this season, and the Rockets need something to smile about. At the time of writing, they have yet to face AmaZulu, and are without a win in the season scraping just two points and sit rock bottom in the league. On the other hand, Maritzburg United thought they had finally found some form after losing two straight fixtures, winning by one goal to nil against Baroka and Marumo Gallants only to lose 2-1 against SuperSport and 2-1 again in the KZN derby against Royal AM. Don’t let the odds fool you, neither side inspire any confidence heading into this clash, and a draw is where I am placing my bet.
Cape Town City 15/20
Draw 23/10
Golden Arrows 15/4
(17:30)
The away team continue to show some fire under new coach Lehlohonolo Seema, but also remain rather unpredictable in their approach. Abafana Bes’thende have lost just one match at the hands of defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns and should hold any shame. Knox Mutizwa has been finding the net for Arrows and after a difficult two games against Ghana during World Cup qualifiers, he will be eager to get back in action in the league. While Arrows results might be better than their opposition, the football from CT City has been of a more watchable quality, and the direct and fast paced attack that City are bringing will definitely ask questions of the away team. A disappointing result against Sekhukhune last time out despite dominating the game should have the Citizens with their head in their hands knowing full and well how many opportunities were not taken. Back CT City to right their wrongs and find the mark with all three points against Golden Arrows.
Sunday 24 October
Chippa United 13/10
Draw 2/1
Swallows 22/10
(15:30)
A battle of strugglers in the DStv Premiership sees both Chippa and Swallows in search of their second win of the campaign. Gavin Hunt’s Chippa were embarrassed at the hands of his former employers last time out, catching an absolute 4-0 hiding to Kaizer Chiefs in Soweto. Coach Hunt now makes the boldest claim as his time starts to tick on his job security, stating that the right players at Chippa could even win them the league. While Gavin pleas for his job, Swallows coach Brendan Truter return back at the helm after a two week “sabbatical.” The last time Swallows won a match was in August against Royal AM and the Dube Birds have scored just two conceding eight. The Ghebergha based team are without Gavin’s mystery players to win him the league and Truter is struggling to keep a hold on his own staff. With all the questions in these camps, I see nothing but a stalemate between the two.
SuperSport United 33/20
Draw 2/1
Kaizer Chiefs 33/20
(17:30)
SuperSport remain undefeated in the DStv Prem this season and have impressively managed five clean sheets along the way. Thamsanqa Gabuza seems to be in fine form scoring a beautiful brace to see off Baroka in their last fixture. A solid backline and rigid midfield lines in defence should pose a problem to their opponents. Kaizer Chiefs’ fans have had their manager’s head on the chopping block in each encounter, and he has somewhat silenced them with a four-goal thriller last time out. The fans will be happy to see Keagan Dolly up and running the show for Chief’s midfield, being influential in each of their four goals. From very pedestrian play to loading the box is a very different Chiefs under Baxter, and the question begs if the Soweto giants have turned a corner. I am heavily on the fence in this matchup, and I do believe both teams can find the net in this fixture.
TREBLE @ 16/1
Maritzburg United/TS Galaxy – Draw 22/10
Cape Town City Win 15/20
Chippa/Swallows – Draw 2/1
Written by Joshua Gaillard