The Nedbank Cup semi-finals take place this weekend and we suggest a bet in each of the games.
FRIDAY
TSHAKHUMA V MARUMO GALLANTS
Tshakhuma faced a stiff task in the quarter-finals, but came through 3-2 at home in extra time against SuperSport United. They had seen off lower League opposition in the last 16 and also beaten Premier League side, Golden Arrows on penalties in the round of 32.
Their recent League form has been hit and miss with their last outing a 3-2 win over Cosmos, but prior to that they had lost 2-1 on the road to Black Leopards.
Marumo Gallants beat Baroka 1-0 in their quarter-final clash and they were also at home in the last 16 to Pirates where they required a penalty to progress. Their round of 32 clash was a home encounter against Santos which they won fairly comfortably by a 2 goal margin.
These sides last met in the GladAfrica Championship in the 2019/2020 season with Marumo drawing at home and beating Tshakhuma on the road.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Tshakhuma 7/2
Draw 12/5
Marumo Gallants 17/20
Suggested Bet: Marumo Gallant’s win at 17/20
Marumo’s form had dipped in the League of late and they haven't won any of their last 5 PSL matches, but home draws against SuperSport and Swallows in their last 2 games are not too much to get concerned about. They look to have too much for this Tshakhuma team and I am backing an away win here.
SATURDAY
ROYAL AM V MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
This is a thrilling clash pitting two of the in form teams in the PSL up against each other.
Royal AM have drawn their last 2 League matches, but are unbeaten in all competitions over the last 3 months. Looking at how they reached the semi-finals they beat Pretoria University 3-2 at home in the quarters, saw off Swallows 1-0 on the road in the last 16 and in the round of 32 beat Cape Town City 2-1 so they certainly haven't had an easy run.
Mamelodi Sundowns have wrapped up the PSL title, drawing 0-0 with Cape Town City at home on Thursday night. A slight concern to Sundowns supporters are that they are without a win in their last 3 matches in all competitions, but they will now have their sights firmly set on the Nedbank Cup having beaten Summerfield Dynamos 5-0 in the last 8 and they also had comprehensive victories by 6 and 4 goals respectively over lower League opposition in the early rounds.
These sides met at Sundowns in the League earlier this season with Sundowns winning 3-2.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Royal Am 11/5
Draw 21/10
Mamelodi Sundowns 21/20
Suggested Bet: Sundowns win at 21/20
I am going to keep my betting strategy for the semi-finals fairly simple and I think that with the League title wrapped up, Sundowns are going to kick on with the Nedbank Cup as a clear target. If both of these sides play to potential Sundowns must surely have the edge.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
