The PSL resumes this weekend following the international break and there are some exciting fixtures lined up. Its Soweto vs Tshwane in two of the biggest matches with runaway leaders Kaizer Chiefs hosting Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport up against Orland Pirates.
Saturday 22nd November
Kaizer Chiefs 13/10 draw 21/10 Mamelodi Sundowns 2/1
Table-topping Kaizer Chiefs will host the big-spending champions Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium on Saturday, with Stuart Baxter’s side 12 points above Pitso Mosimane’s after just 10 matches. Chiefs’ commanding start to the season has yielded MTN8 success and nine victories and a draw from 10 league games. The Glamour Boys’ only defeat to date came on penalties to Platinum Stars in the Telkom Knockout quarter-finals last month. Sundowns have managed only four wins in the league compared to Chiefs’ nine and AmaKhosi will also have home advantage. Chiefs have had the upper hand between the two giants in recent meetings, winning eight of the past 14 encounters while Sundowns have managed only four. Sundowns lost 1-0 at Platinum Stars in the Telkom Knockout last time out and Chiefs are tipped to pile more pressure on Mosimane with a home win.
Black Aces 11/10 draw 22/10 Polokwane City 24/10
Mpumalanga Black Aces’ excellent streak continued in their last match when they held Sundowns to a goalless draw in Pretoria. Clive Barker’s side are now unbeaten in seven matches in the league, picking up four wins in that run. Their opponents, Polokwane City, are surprise leaders at the top of the Q-Innovation Quarter 2 table after the first two games. Kosta Papic’s side have six points after beating Free State Stars 5-2 and Bidvest Wits 2-0, both away from home. Polokwane won both league meetings between the sides last season and are tipped to break Aces’ excellent unbeaten run.
Moroka Swallows 12/10 draw 21/10 University of Pretoria 23/10
Moroka Swallows and University of Pretoria will clash in a match that could prove crucial in the relegation race if they fail to improve on their current form. Swallows are coming off a 1-0 loss at home to SuperSport which was their sixth loss in their last eight matches. University of Pretoria lie one place and one point below Swallows in 14th position after managing a 3-0 home win over Ajax Cape Town last time out. It was just their second win of the season and after scoring three goals in one match their league tally for the season is just eight from 10 matches. Swallows won this fixture 1-0 last season and should do similar here.
Platinum Stars 11/10 draw 22/10 AmaZulu 24/10
This match sees the bottom two scrap it out for a much needed three points in an effort to make their way out of the relegation zone. Platinum Stars’ cup performances have been far better and they will be entering this match full of confidence after reaching their second consecutive Telkom Knockout final after edging Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 in their semi-final. AmaZulu remained winless this season when they fell to a 2-1 home loss to log leaders Chiefs. Dikwena have won this home fixture against AmaZulu for the past two seasons and should continue on their winning form here.
Ajax 11/10 draw 22/10 Maritzburg United 24/10
Ajax and Maritzburg have got off to great starts in the league as they lie third and fourth respectively. However, both sides are coming off uninspired performances with Ajax losing 3-0 on the road to University of Pretoria and Maritzburg being held to a goalless draw at home to Bloemfontein Celtic. Maritzburg have beaten Ajax just once in the last seven encounters between the sides. Maritzburg have never beaten Ajax in Cape Town in all of their seven travels there and Ajax have won this fixture for the past two seasons. The Urban Warriors have been excellent at Cape Town Stadium this season winning four times and losing just once to kaizer Chiefs. Maritzburg have just one away victory and the home win looks a sure bet.
Bidvest Wits 11/10 draw 22/10 Free State Stars 24/10
Both teams are coming into this match having lost two and drawn one of their last three league matches. Wits will be hoping to return to winning ways at home where they were impressive until recent matches. They have four wins this season and three of those have come at Bidvest Stadium. Free State Stars have been bad on the road having lost three of their four travels and scoring a measly three goals. The home win is the way to go.
Sunday 23rd November
SuperSport 15/10 draw 2/1 Orlando Pirates 18/10
SuperSport United and Orlando Piartes will meet each other for a consecutive meeting after clashing in the Telkom Knockout semi-final two weeks back. SuperSport came out tops against a Pirates team in mourning, playing their first match following the death of their captain Senzo Meyiwa. Pirates went scoreless losing 2-0 with Matsatsantsa’s goals coming from Lebogang Manyama and Thuso Phala. The Buccanneers will be determined to get their revenge and in some way honour their teammate. The away win is tipped.
Bloem Celtic 17/10 draw 19/10 Chippa 17/10
Tenth place Bloemfontein Celtic will play host to a Chippa team in red hot form. Chippa find themselves in second place behind Kaizer Chiefs after going unbeaten in their last six matches, wrapping up four victories. They have scored only 11 goals from their 10 league matches but have been solid in defence of late. Celtic have also been on a good run of form having picked up two wins against Polokwane 5-1 and University of Pretoria 2-1 and drawing 0-0 away to Maritzburg last time out. Both sides have looked strong in their defending and the draw looks a valuable bet.
Written by Wayde Dorkin
Soccer Pro’s Picks
Chiefs WIN13/10
Polokwane WIN24/10
Swallows WIN12/10
Platinum WIN11/10
Ajax WIN11/10
Wits WIN11/10
Pirates WIN18/10
Bloem Celtic DRAW19/10