DStv Premiership: Gameweek 8 Preview

Benni McCarthy will take charge of his first match as AmaZulu coach against Chippa


This weekend, we’ll be a quarter way into the first-ever DStv Premiership with the log standings now starting to take shape. Swallows FC have been the surprise package thus far, while Kaizer Chiefs have been quite the opposite. With football coming thick and fast, we could see a few upsets in the league with plenty of teams expected to suffer from fatigue in this festive period.


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Friday 18 December


Maritzburg United 19/10

Draw 19/10

Stellenbosch 15/10

(20:00)

Maritzburg United will be looking to pick up where they left off in their last game at the Harry Gwala Stadium, where they fought back to hold Mamelodi Sundowns to a draw. That was Ernst Middendorp’s first match in charge of the Team of Choice, and by now, the German’s tactics should be well-implemented into the squad. Stellenbosch have been consistent since coming up to the top flight. The Cape-based side are in and around the top eight spots, and should be there throughout the rest of the campaign. I’ll back a draw.

Saturday 19 December


Baroka 33/20

Draw 9/4

SuperSport United 31/20

(15:30)

You never know what you’re going to get from this Baroka team. When you expect them to win, they somehow find a way not to, but when the odds are stacked against them, Bakgaga find a way to pull a rabbit out of the hat. Surprisingly, they’re still unbeaten at home. SuperSport United have a game in hand over most teams in the league, but still find themselves in the thick of things at this early stage. I fancy SuperSport United from the two sides here.

Golden Arrows 3/1

Draw 47/20

Mamelodi Sundowns 17/20

(15:30)

At the time of writing, Golden Arrows are one of four unbeaten sides in the DStv Premiership. Mamelodi Sundowns are also one of those four teams after their emphatic start to the league campaign. Sundowns, though, despite their success on the field, have been going through difficult times after having to deal with the loss of Anele Ngcongca and Motjeka Madisha in the space of a couple of weeks. Personally, I hope the league decides to postpone this match, if they don’t, stay away from betting on this fixture.

Cape Town City 6/10

Draw 28/10

TS Galaxy 17/4

(18:00)

Cape Town City seem to be making an upward trajectory after a couple of impressive performances. Jan Olde Riekerink has silenced many of his doubters with City now playing the brand of football which is required of them, while the results have been forthcoming. TS Galaxy have also associated their brand with expansive football, playing out from the back and dominating the midfield. This tie will also afford Terrence Mashego of Cape Town City and Ebrahim Seedat of TS Galaxy an opportunity to prove that they’re better off in their new roles after making a direct switch between the two clubs. I’m leaning slightly more towards Cape Town City.

Kaizer Chiefs 19/20

Draw 49/20

Bloemfontein Celtic 5/2

(18:00)

It’s been an utterly disappointing start to the new campaign for Kaizer Chiefs this term. At the time of writing, they’re down in the dumps, two points off the relegation zone. The club have been let down big time by some of their senior players, while Gavin Hunt should also take some of the blame for persisting with them instead of breeding in some of the younger and hungrier players. This game will come seven days after Bloemfontein Celtic were denied glory in the MTN8 final by Orlando Pirates. It was the club’s second defeat in a cup final in the space of a few months, which highlights the superb work done by John Maduka and his technical team. The last time these sides met, Celtic came out 3-1 winners in the bio-bubble with some interesting comments from Sifiso Ngobeni, who lambasted Chiefs for their stye of play. My money is on Siwelele to win or draw.

Sunday 20 December


AmaZulu 5/4

Draw 9/4

Chippa United 2/1

(15:30)

The future is looking bright for AmaZulu. Usuthu have made some stellar marquee signings at the start of the season and now have one of the brightest young coaches in their ranks in Benni McCarthy. With Benni already proven as a successful coach from his time with Cape Town City, AmaZulu will be confident of getting their season back on track. Chippa United have had their difficulties this term and are still winless on the road. I’m backing AmaZulu all the way.


Black Leopards 3/1

Draw 47/20

Swallows FC 17/20

(15:30)

Black Leopards have had an underwhelming start to the DStv Premiership. At this early stage, Lidoda Duvha have been sucked into a relegation battle, and after throwing a two-goal lead away against Kaizer Chiefs a fortnight ago, mentally, they don’t look ready to compete at this level. Swallows have been the talk of the town in the early part of the campaign with coach Brandon Truter snapping up the Coach of the Month award after miraculously leading his side to second place in the league. The Dube Birds have looked ultra-impressive in every area of the pitch so far, therefore, I expect them to get the job done in Thohoyandou.

TREBLE @ 7/1

Cape Town City Win 6/10

AmaZulu Win 5/4

Swallows Win 17/20

Written by Jesse Nagel