After a break of more than three weeks Betway Premiership action returns on Tuesday when our focus is on Kaizer Chiefs vs Stellenbosch FC, Richards Bay vs Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates vs TS Galaxy
Kaizer Chiefs vs Stellenbosch
Chiefs remain unbeaten with 3 wins and 4 draws from their first 7 league games and they come into this game in fourth spot with 13 points, 7 points off the pace being set by Sundowns but with a game in hand. Chiefs made the perfect start with wins away to Kruger United (3-1) and at home to Sekhukhune (2-0). After that they drew 1-1 at home to Sundowns and then had to settle for a 2-2 draw away to Richards Bay. A 3-2 win against Siwelele at Dobsonville was then followed by a 1-1 draw away to Polokwane City and just before the international break they played out a 0-0 stalemate away to Golden Arrows.
Stellies are in mid table with 9 points from 7 matches. They won 1-0 away to Kruger FC last time out and prior to that they drew at home to Sekhukhune (1-1) and away to Durban City (0-0). Their only other win came at home to Marumo Gallants (3-1).
The Verdict
This draw habit of Chiefs (4 in the last 5 league games) is worth noting and I’m taking a cheeky correct score play for a 1-1 draw.
Bets: Correct score 1-1 at 5/1 with Lucky Fish
Richards Bay vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Richards Bay have a new coach in the shape of Bulgarian Dimitar Pantev. The new man takes over a side who are third from bottom on the log with 3 points, ahead of Siwelele on goal difference and 1 point better off than Marumo Gallants. The focus will surely be on trying to improve defensively as Richards Bay have already conceded 16 league goals this season including 8 in their last 2 matches, defeats away to Milford 5-1) and at home to Sekhukhune (3-2). Their stand out result this season is a 2-2 draw at home to Kaizer Chiefs but they are 1 of 3 sides still looking for a league win.
Sundowns celebrated lifting the MTN8 trophy on Saturday when they got the better of Pirates in the final in Durban, coming out on top 2-0. This swift change of focus to league action sees Sundowns 1 point clear 1 point clear of Pirates at the top of the standings but they have played 1 game more than their rivals. Downs are unbeaten in the league with 6 wins and 2 draws but they did let favourite backers down in their most recent league outing, a 1-1 draw away to Chippa.
The Verdict
The new coach hasn’t had long with his players and hence that defensive record would have to be a huge concern. Downs are on a high from banking silverware at the weekend and as long as that hasn’ taken too much out of them they could win this by 2 or more goals.
Bets: Handicap Sundowns -1 goal at 11/10 with Lucky Fish
Orlando Pirates vs TS Galaxy
Pirates will have to put last weekend’s MTN8 final defeat behind them, the 2-0 loss to Sundowns ending their dominance of a competition they had won for 4 seasons in a row. They are in second spot in the Betway Premiership with a record of 6 wins and 1 draw and sit 1 point behind Sundowns with a game in hand. The Bucs have scored 16 league goals in those 7 matches and conceded just the 1 which came in a 1-1 draw at Amazulu.
Galaxy have won just 1 of their first 7 Betway Premiership matches which has led to speculation over the future of head coach Bernard Parker. The win came away to bottom of the table Marumo Gallants (3-2) but the goals have since dried up with a 0-0 stalemate away to Sekhukhune followed by a pair of 1-0 defeats at home to Kruger and Chippa.
The Verdict
All 6 of Pirates league wins this season have arrived by a margin of at least 2 goals and this could be another one for handicap players.
Bets: Handicap Pirates -1 goal at 9/10 with Lucky Fish
Note, odds are subject to change