Three more Carling Knockout matches takes place on Tuesday when Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates are all in action
At the weekend Golden Arrows thrashed Chippa 4-0, Siwelele FC knocked out Polokwane on spot kicks after a 0-0 draw, Amazulu were 1-0 winners at Kruger FC and Sekhukhune saw off Richards Bay 3-1. The big guns now take their turn on Tuesday night before the first round concludes on Wednesday with a clash between Durban City and Stellenbosch. Let’s see what we can come up with.
Kaizer Chiefs vs TS Galaxy
Chiefs didn’t last long in this competition last season, losing their first round match to Stellenbosch. On to this season and Chiefs failed to progress in the CAF Confederations Cup after losing a penalty shoot out to Red Arrows of Zambia at the weekend. They also fell at the first hurdle of this season’s MTN8, losing at home to Golden Arrows. In the Betway Premiership Chefs are fifth, unbeaten with a record of 3 wins and 5 draws and those draws came in the last 6 league outings.
In the Carling Knockout last season Galaxy got past Orbit College in the first round before losing to Golden Arrows in the quarter finals. Galaxy have won just 1 of their first 8 Betway Premiership matches in the current campaign which has led to a change in coach with Esau Mtsweni currently filling a caretaker role. The win came away to bottom of the table Marumo Gallants (3-2) but the goals have since dried up and they have failed to score in their last 4 and are fourth bottom on the log.
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Marumo Gallants
Sundowns were another big name to come unstuck in the first round of last season’s Carling Knockout when they lost to their opponents here on spot kicks. This season they have already banked a trophy after beating Pirates in the MTN8 and they currently top the Betway Premiership standings, unbeaten with 7 wins and 2 draws although second placed Pirates are 1 point behind and have a game in hand. However there was huge disappointment for Sundowns fans at the weekend when they crashed out of the CAF Champions League to Wiliete of Angola on the away goals rule.
Gallants made it all the way to the final of last season’s Carling Knockout and they took Pirates to extra time before conceding the only goal of the game in the 105th minute. They are having a torid time in the Betway Premiership, bottom of the log with just 2 points and one of 6 defeats came 2-0 at Sundowns in August.
Orlando Pirates vs Milford FC
Pirates are the holders of this trophy after a 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants (aet) in last season’s final. They have lost their grip on the MTN8 trophy after losing the final to Sundowns but they continue to progress in the Caf Champions League and they are in second spot in the Betway Premiership with a record of 7 wins and 1 draw and sit 1 point behind Sundowns with a game in hand.
Milford are having a really good maiden Betway Premiership season. Although their lost their opening league game 2-0 to Pirates in Orlando they have won 4 and drawn 3 of the next 8 and currently occupy a lofty fourth position. In their 9 league game Milford have scored just 10 goals but they have only conceded 7.
Tuesday Bets:
At the time of writing only match result betting was available and if you fancy the bog 3 all tim in regulation time, that’s Chiefs (9/10), Sundowns (8/25) and Pirates (9/20) the odds of reward for the treble are around 2.65/1.
Given that the likes of Downs and Chiefs tumbled out of this competition at the first hurdle last season it could be a risky play but after both exited their respective CAF competitions at the weekend one would imagine they will be keen to make amends. As for Pirates, they face a decent Milford side but with just 1 league goal conceded all season they are just so tough to beat.
Bet: Chiefs (9/10), Sundowns (8/25) and Pirates (9/20) treble at around 2.65/1 with BetXchange
Note, odds are subject to change