Chiefs buig club debate A win over Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday will buy coach Nasreddine Nabi a lot of goodwill and time from the Kaizer Chiefs fans.
Image: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media
It's a massive weekend for Kaizer Chiefs as they take aim at defending Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns. Can the Glamour Boys upset the juggernaut in Atteridgeville on Saturday and give some sort of meaning to their season, or will it be another procession for the Brazilians. Here, our pundits give their predictions, and reveal the odds, for a jam-packed leage weekend.
STELLENBOSCH FC vs POLOKWANE CITY | 7.30pm, Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch FC warmed up for Friday's clash against Polokwane City at the Danie Craven Stadium with a 2-1 home win over Magesi FC. The highlight was the performance of striker Ashley Cupido, who has previously struggled to make an impact since transferring from neighbours Cape Town Spurs.
On Wednesday, he produced a Player of the Match performance with a goal and an assist. Coach Steve Barker beleives Cupido will become a lethal weapon in the attack. News coming out of the Polokwane camp is that key players, such as Thabang Matuludi, Tlou Nkwe, Raymond Daniels and Cole Alexander, are all on the injury list.
Our prediction: Stellenbosch to win 2-1.
Betting odds
MAGESI FC vs SUPERSPORT UNITED | 3.30pm, Polokwane
Dikwena tsa Meetse were meant to thrive in the deep end, but their stay in the Betway Premiership has been marked by some disappointing results. They now face the chop due to their struggles, and their troubles could be compounded unless they get the better of a confident Supersport United side that has had a couple of results go their way in recent times.
Matsatsantsa have had the upper hand between the two sides in recent meetings, and as their new signings continue to make their mark, Magesi could lack the quality in decisive areas of the pitch to offer a stiff challenge for Gavin Hunt and his chargers.
Prediction: Supersort United to win 2-1
Betting odds
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS vs KAIZER CHIEFS | 3.30pm, Pretoria
This will be their third meeting this season, and with Sundowns having dominated proceeding so far, on the current run of form, history could repeat itself.
Although you can never fully count them out, Amakhosi and their inconsistent results make it hard for one to conclude which team will pitch up on the day, but one thing is certain: the Brazilians will bring in their ruthless intentions to the clash. Sundowns have a star-studded midfield, which could just be too hot to handle for Amakhosi, and they may have their eyes locked on their third straight defeat against the Brazilians.
Prediction: Mamelodi Sundowns to win 2-0
Betting odds
TS GALAXY v GOLDEN ARROWS | 5.30pm, Nelspruit
Currently, TS Galaxy are seventh on the log, while erratic Lamontville Golden Arrows hold 11th place. In their only clash this season, Galaxy, one of the most improved teams in the Premiership, were held to a 1-1 draw.
Moreover, in their last five meetings across all competitions, TS Galaxy has the upper hand with three victories and two draws, while Arrows have yet to secure a win against their opponents. This historical context, combined with current league standings and recent forms, sets the stage for what could be a crucial match for both teams as they look to improve their positions in the league.
Prediction: TS Galaxy to win 2.
Betting odds
MARUMO GALLANTS vs ORLANDO PIRATES | 5.45pm, Bloemfontein
Pirates are halfway through the season and for a team that was expected to knock Sundowns off their perch, they still look directionless in their pursuit.
It is not entirely their fault as they’ve endured the frustrations of postponed matches due to either the Royal AM mess or weather conditions. However, they still need to do their best when they play by winning their games, including the match away to the coach-less Gallants in Bloemfontein tomorrow evening.
Gallants do not have a coach after deciding to sack Dan “Dance” Malesela due to a poor string of results. Hence interim coach Duncan Lechasa is expected to oversee the match against Pirates.
Prediction: Pirates to win 2-0
Betting odds
RICHARDS BAY vs CHIPPA UNITED | 8pm, Durban
Both sides are on the rise but positives are plenty for the home side; no matter the result in their six previous league games, they have scored in five matches.
Unbeaten in four games, Natal Rich Boyz have been the surprise package of the month of February, beating fellow strugglers Marumo Gallants and top performers Polokwane City both at home.
They then held highflyers Stellenbosch to 1-1 in Cape Town. While the KwaZulu-Natal outfit have turned their home stadium into a fortress, Chippa, under their new technical team, are still struggling to achieve back-to-back positive results.
Prediction: Richards Bay win 2-0
Betting odds
AMAZULU vs CAPE TOWN CITY | Durban, 3.30pm
This will be a very sensitive match for AmaZulu simply because it is Arthur Zwane’s first as a sole head coach. A change in coaching personnel is usually followed by some positive results and so that will be the expectation in this case as well.
Should that not happen, questions of whether AmaZulu let the right coach go and kept the wrong one, will arise. AmaZulu were professional enough in their statement announcing former co-head coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi’s departure as his resignation.
However, those who have been in football for some time will tell you that 95% of the time, when a coach leaves, it is by the boot. Of course, Cape Town City will be looking to get some respect back after a 2-0 defeat to Chippa United and that 3-1 loss to Orlando Pirates in the past two weeks but they are a club that has never really bothered AmaZulu, who triumphed 1-0 in the first leg.
Prediction: AmaZulu to win 2-1
Betting odds
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