We’re heading back to local league action after an international break just long enough for us to start getting withdrawal symptoms. Whilst the majority of players on international duty for Bafana Bafana will be representing the top PSL clubs in continental competition, some will be back to join their clubs in pursuit of greater league glory. With only five games on offer this weekend, you may just find the perfect multiple to string them all together.
Saturday
AmaZulu 1/1
Draw 22/10
Free State Stars 27/10
Both of these sides will have been eagerly preparing for this clash during the break. They’re both involved in the relegation battle and look the more likely of the bottom clubs to go down. AmaZulu have clawed back a large chunk of their deficit from earlier in the season, but still find themselves six points behind Swallows and Stars on 22 points. They’ve strung together two wins and two draws from their last five and actually go into this the in-form side. Stars haven’t won a game in 2015 and will feel like they’re sinking into the depths of the NFD whilst other sides around them find form. The last time Stars won away from home was in August 2014, so putting any pennies on them would be foolish. Look to the AmaZulu Draw No Bet for some value, as well as security in case of the stalemate.
Maritzburg United 16/10
Draw 21/10
SuperSport United 16/10
Both sides sit poised on thirty points each, with the home side’s better yield in front of goal being the differentiator. Both sides have stuttering form lines of late; yet again identically both having picked up back-to-back wins recently. SuperSport trounced the hosts 4-1 earlier in the season and Maritzburg’s home form has been less than impressive, barring a 1-0 upset against Chiefs last time out. With a top eight spot there for the taking, three points for either side would be hugely advantageous. I’m going to rely on head-to-head results to call this one. Maritzburg have never won this fixture at home, with five draws and four losses. Being the away side, a SuperSport United/Draw Double Chance will pay slightly better than the other way around, and it’s where I’ll be heading in this one.
Polokwane City 18/10
Draw 2/1
Bidvest Wits 15/10
The home side have been on a slight downward trend after their impressive start to the season. They took advantage of a great string of winnable games to gain huge ascendency in the league, but have come unstuck of late against some superior opposition. The gap to Wits in fourth is eight points and pretty much depicts the difference between these sides. Wits won’t be going there unprepared; Polokwane City boasts a very strong home record this season, becoming an uneasy place for any side to travel to. Wits will go there knowing they’re going to need an almighty collapse to let go of fourth spot and will still need to make sure they come away with something. I’m heading to the Wits/Draw Double Chance here. I’d like to think Gavin Hunt will make sure his side do enough to come away with at least one point.
Platinum Stars 15/10
Draw 21/10
Ajax Cape Town 18/10
Dikwena have been mixing with the wrong crowd for the most part of the season. Flirting with relegation is not a place where any side wants to be, let alone one from Dikwena’s former heights. Without even decent home form to speak of, they have it all to do when Ajax come to town. The Urban Warriors are hungry for a top four spot and will arrive with a string of great results behind them. The loss to Chiefs will be a minor setback that has left their conscious mind and Roger De Sa will have his charges firmly focussed on the incentive at stake. I very rarely side with the away team in the PSL, but here might be the best opportunity to do so. Look to the Draw No Bet to include in multiples, but the away win should be decent value.
Sunday
Bloemfontein Celtic 17/20
Draw 23/10
University of Pretoria 32/10
Celtic will be motivated with their current league position. A top four spot isn’t out of the equation and the Siwelele faithful will be out in their numbers to encourage their side. AmaTuks travel to the game in a small rut, having suffered disappointing back-to-back losses in the PSL. Bloem Celtic triumphed in the return fixture too, adding further pressure to AmaTuks’ chances in this one. Celtic are not a side to give away much at home, with a spotless record in all competitions at the Free State Stadium in 2015. They’re not likely to give that up in this fixture and depending on the value you can get, a Celtic Draw No Bet could be the value. If it doesn’t pay much, both sides’ lack of prowess in front of goal means the Under 2.5 Goals market seems a good bet here too. You’re not going to witness a humdinger by any means, but there is value to gain for the punter nonetheless.
Written by The Caretaker Coach for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
PSL Picks
AmaZulu DRAW 22/10
SuperSport WIN/DRAW 4/10
Wits WIN/DRAW 7/20
Ajax WIN 18/10
Bloem Celtic WIN 17/20