The Absa Premiership returns with some exciting matchups lined up. Kaizer Chiefs will welcome former coach Stuart Baxter when they host SuperSport in Cape Town. Mamelodi Sundowns face Golden Arrows – the last team to beat the Brazilians in the League in September last year. Orlando Pirates will face a daunting battle with Mpumalanga Black Aces on Sunday, while Platinum Stars will look to extend their unbeaten run to six matches when they host Jomo Cosmos. There’s money to be made in the PSL this weekend and I’m confident I’ve picked a couple winners.
Friday 19 February
11/20 Bidvest Wits | Draw 5/2 | University of Pretoria 5/1 (20:00)
Competing in the CAF Confederation Cup, Bidvest Wits beat Light Stars 3-0 at the Amitie Stadium in Seychelles last weekend. Goals from Dillon Shepard and Sibusiso Vilakazi in the first half and a goal from Markus Lecki in the 60th minute secured the result for Gavin Hunt’s team. The Clever Boys lost 1-0 at home to Kaizer Chiefs in their last PSL match. Hunt’s side will be looking to bounce back with victory against University of Pretoria who continue to struggle. AmaTuks are yet to win on the road, losing six times from nine games. Back Wits and move on.
Saturday 20 February
12/10 Chippa United | 21/10 | Free State stars 22/10 (15:30)
Last Sunday’s 1-0 victory away to Bloemfontein Celtic made it two wins on the bounce for Chippa United. Previously, they beat Jomo Cosmos 2-1 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Dan Malesela’s side have won four of their last six home games, including two in a row. Free State Stars are winless in four matches with three defeats, including consecutive losses at the time of writing. Ea Lla Koto have only won once in their last five away games. Chippa United are tipped at 12/10.
15/10 Polokwane City | 21/10 | Ajax Cape Town 17/10 (15:30)
Polokwane City were beaten 2-1 at home by Golden Arrows, their 10th loss of the season. That ended their four-game winning run at Peter Mokaba Stadium. Julio Leal will be hoping for an improved performance against Ajax Cape Town on Saturday. The Urban Warriors beat Sagrada Esperanca 2-1 in Angola, with Ruzaigh Gamildien and Riyaad Norodien getting the goals. Roger de Sa’s side will hope to emulate that performance against Polokwane City. However, they’ve struggled for consistency. Ajax have lost two of their last three away games in the PSL. Back Polokwane City to bounce back strong with victory at 15/10.
1/4 Mamelodi Sundowns | 9/2 | Golden Arrows 8/1 (18:00)
Pitso Mosimane’s side suffered a 1-0 defeat by Zimbabwean side Chicken Inn in the CAF Champions League last weekend. The Brazilians will return to the PSL where they remain unbeaten in 15 games, winning 13 times. At home, they’ve won eight of their nine games with a goalless draw against Polokwane City. They boast the best attack in the league, scoring 37 goals and have the best defence, along with Black Aces, having conceded 14 times. Golden Arrows secured a 2-1 victory away to Polokwane City last weekend. Prior to that result, Clinton Larsen’s side lost four in a row.The home win is a banker bet at 1/4.
9/10 Kaizer Chiefs | 22/10 | SuperSport United 3/1 (20:15)
Kaizer Chiefs are up against former coach Stuart Baxter when they host SuperSport in Cape Town. Amakhosi recorded a 4-0 victory in their CAF Champions League match against Volcan de Moroni last weekend. Steve Komphela’s side are on a four-match winning streak and will be confident of extending that run of form. SuperSport United beat University of Pretoria 2-0 at Lucas Moripe Stadium last Sunday which moved them up to eighth on the table. Baxter’s side are without an away win in three games, losing twice. The home win is tipped.
Sunday 14 February
29/20 Black Aces | 21/10 | Orlando Pirates 7/4 (15:30)
Orlando Pirates won’t have it easy against a Mpumalanga Black Aces outfit still very much throwing their weight near the top of the table. Muhsin Ertugral’s side have lost just once in their last 10 matches, winning six times. Their opponents, Pirates, were beaten 2-1 at home to leaders Sundowns last Wednesday. Eric Tinkler will be hoping for a positive response from his players. Pirates have been dismal away from home this season, losing five of their eight games played. Black Aces will rely on Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma to score the goals that win the game. Mbesuma is the league’s top scorer with 11 goals and he’ll be difficult to stop. I’m going for Black Aces to oust their opponents here.
9/10 Bloem Celtic | 22/10 | Maritzburg United 3/1 (15:30)
Bloemfontein Celtic are winless in three matches following their 1-0 home defeat to Chippa United. The Team of Choice will be hoping to take maximum points against bottom-placed Maritzburg, however, their home form is a huge concern for Serame Letsoaka. They’ve lost four of their last six matches at Free State Stadium, winning just once against Wits. Maritzburg United earned a rare point last weekend when Evans Rusike’s 81st minute equalizer secured a draw with high-riding Platinum Stars. Prior to that result, Ernst Middendorp’s side lost three games in a row. The draw looks likely at 22/10.
8/10 Platinum Stars | 22/10 | Jomo Cosmos 7/2 (15:30)
Platinum Stars conceded a late equalizer to draw 1-1 with relegation-bound Maritzburg United last weekend. Dikwena are unbeaten in five matches with victories over Chiefs, AmaTuks and Polokwane City. They’ve won back-to-back home games and Cavin Johnson will look to build on that. Jomo Cosmos have put some ground between them and the relegation zone following a 1-0 victory against Free State Stars. The only goal of the game was scored just after the break through Cheslyn Jampies – a low free-kick which nestled into the bottom corner. Jomo Sono’s side will face a daunting test against high-flying Platinum Stars and their away form does not bode well. Cosmos are yet to win on the road this season, losing seven of their nine games. The home win is tipped confidently.
PSL Picks
Wits WIN 11/20
Chippa United WIN 12/10
Polokwane City WIN 15/10
Sundowns WIN 1/4
Chiefs WIN 9/10
Black Aces WIN 29/20
Bloem Celtic DRAW 22/10
Platinum Stars WIN 8/10
Written by Chadley Nagel
