The pick of the midweek PSL coupon sees Kaizer Chiefs host Mamelodi Sundowns at Soccer City on Wednesday and Chiefs are bidding for revenge after being soundly beaten by Downs in a recent cup tie.
Kaizer Chiefs have played two competitive matches this season, one in the MTN8 and the other in the PSL and the outcome of those two games reads like chalk and cheese. Chiefs were thrashed 4-1 by Sundowns when the sides were paired in an MTN8 quarter final played at Loftus on 5th August. Chiefs defence were run ragged by Sundowns early in that game with Downs finding the back of the net four times in the opening 37 minutes before coasting through the majority of the remainder of play. Chiefs did at least steady the ship in the second half and they built on that in their opening PSL fixture, winning a potentially awkward trip to Amazulu 6-0 including four goals from Bernard Parker.
Since the MTN8 meeting Sundowns took three points in their opening PSL fixture but it was far from spectacular as they eventually wore down a stubborn Chippa United side for a 1-0 home win. Whilst Chiefs had no game at the weekend, Downs were in action in the first leg of their MTN8 semi final tie with Swallows which they eventually drew 3-3 after trailing 2-0 inside eight minutes.
These sides finished fourth and fifth in the PSL last season with Sundowns two points better off than Chiefs but having blown a significant lead at the top of the log just after the halfway marker. With both sides making a winning start to the new PSL season, it's worth updating the odds to win the title and the reaction to Chiefs thrashing of Amazulu has seen Hollywood cut them into 3/1 joint favourites (with Pirates) and the same firm make Sundowns a 4/1 chance. BetXchange are offering 5/1 against Chiefs being crowned champions and Sundowns are 33/10.
The Amakhosi completed a PSL double over Sundowns last season, winning the first encounter 1-0 and following up with a 2-0 victory at Soccer City towards the end of the campaign which proved to be a fatal blow to Downs title hopes.
The Betting - Match Result
Chiefs 15/10 World Sports Betting, Voltbet
Draw 2.15/1 Hollywood
Sundowns 2/1 Hollywood
Exotic Betting
HT Result Draw even money Hollywood, BetXchange
Under 2.5 goals 7/10 BetXchange
Over 2.5 goals 11/10 Volbet
Both teams to score (no) 17/20 Hollywood
Both teams to score (yes) 15/20 Hollywood
Draw no Bet Chiefs 7/10 BetXchange
Draw no Bet Sundowns 11/10 BetXchange
Odds are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Some bookmakers may not have priced up on all markets at the time of writing.
The Verdict
Chiefs have had the better of things against Sundowns in recent times, at least until that MTN8 cup tie and there was plenty to like about the way they bounced back to hammer Amazulu. Although Sundowns have an extra game under their belts, they haven't been at their best since that first half onslaught against Chiefs in the cup tie and their own defensive frailties were exposed against Swallows at the weekend.
All in all its a tough call, these match ups between the PSL big guns generally are. The match result market is where I am heading and I'm going to take the view that we can draw a line through the MTN8 form and on the evidence of the first round of PSL fixtures, I am going to give Chiefs the edge.
Bet: Kaizer Chiefs to win, 15/10 Voltbet, World Sports Betting
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