After a great weekend of women’s football in rounds 17 and18 with current champions Mamelodi Sundowns returning to action and TUT proving they are no pushovers, there’s more to look forward to this weekend. Bloemfontein Celtic (Royal AM), fast becoming draw specialists this season, take on table toppers TUT, while JVW visits Durban Ladies. Here’s your preview for this weekend’s Super League clashes.
Saturday 27 August 2022
Durban Ladies 57/10
Draw 28/10
JVW 4/10
(13:00)
Durban Ladies did well to keep Sundowns at bay for most of the game last time out. In that game, the defending champions needed a Chantelle Esau wonder strike to finally breach the Durban Ladies backline, who did a fine job in 90 mins. Where they came short is chance creation in front of goal, and it’s no wonder the team has only averaged a goal in 18 games. Their defense will need to be on top form against JVW, who smashed Golden Ladies by 8-0 to become the league’s second-highest goal scorers. With that win, JVW cemented their title challenge and strengthened their position on the log, as they are just a single point behind number 1, TUT. I’m backing a win for JVW, but it won’t come easy since they will play away from home.
Bloemfontein Celtic 2/1
Draw 2/1
TUT FC 12/10
(15:00)
Bloem Celtic have been one of the most formidable sides in the Super League this season because they don’t let in many goals. Celtic (Royal AM Ladies) has lost only once in the last 17 games and got another draw in their previous match against UJ FC. They face a side with a similar style of play to UJ in TUT, who will be looking to claim all three points, having managed to draw in their last game. TUT created many chances to score and will improve in the final third once again to solidify their place at the top of the table, with others playing catch up. Like Mamelodi Sundowns, TUT has only lost once all season. It will be a tight game, so a Double Chance Draw/Win for TUT sounds like a good option here.
First Touch 5/10
Draw 26/10
Golden Ladies 9/2
(15:00)
Golden Ladies looks like they have accepted their fate in the Super League relegation battle. The team remains rooted to the foot of the table after 19 games with no win, three draws, and just 11 goals scored against 71 that have been shipped in. At this stage, they will need a miracle to turn things around, and with just 12 games to go, they are quickly running out of time to collect enough points to remain in the division. First Touch, on the other hand, punched above their weight in their last encounter, holding seventh positioned Ma-Indies to a draw. The draw ensured they added another point between them and teams in the relegation zone. While they’ve won just three times all season, I don’t see why First Touch can’t walk away with all three points in this game.
Vasco da Gama 33/10
Draw 23/10
Richmond United 7/10
(15:00)
Vasco da Gama remains dangerously close to the relegation zone, having failed to win against Tsunami Queens, who earned only their sixth point of the season against them. This was huge for Tsunami Queens but very disappointing for Vasco, who has looked improved since the return of the games after the WAFCON break. They face a Richmond side that has won two in their last three games despite not being able to face Coal City Wizards in their last fixture. Richmond has a decent goal return this season, scoring 33 goals in 15 games, and they will be looking to put the Vasco defense under pressure. Double Chance: I’m backing a Draw/Win for Richmond on this one.
Saturday 27 August 2022
Coal City Wizards 6/10
Draw 23/10
Ma-Indies 7/10
(11:30)
The visiting side will be worried by their draw against First Touch in their last match, having failed to score. They face a Coal City side with a slightly better defense than their last opponents, so the seventh-positioned side will need to bring their ‘A Game’ in attack. The Wizards have lost their last three games this season and will be looking to win only their sixth game this campaign. A positive for them is they are a goal-scoring side, averaging just above two goals a game which isn’t too dissimilar to Ma-Indies. I’m on the fence on this one, so I will go with a draw, which will be a first for the Wizard this season.
DOUBLE @ 1/1
JVW Win 4/10
First Touch Win 5/10
Written by Mcebo Mpungose