Saturday’s featured Betway Premiership matches see Orlando Pirates host Amazulu and Polokwane City v Kaizer Chiefs.
Pirates v Amazulu
Pirates dropped valuable points in a 2-2 draw away to Richards Bay over Easter. It could have been worse given they trailed 1-0 and 2-1 and an injury time equalizer was needed to scramble a point. Prior to that the goals were flying in for the Bucs with a 6-0 win at TS Galaxy and a 5-0 hiding of Golden Arrows in Orlando. They are 1 point behind log leaders Sundowns in the title race with a better goal difference but whilst avoiding defeat here will send them back to the top of the standings, after this match Sundowns will have 2 games in hand.
Amazulu are in a healthy fourth position albeit 6 points behind third placed Chiefs and 16 shy of Pirates. They are unbeaten in their last 5 league outings, draws at home to Magesi, Sekhukhune and most recently away to Siwelele either side of wins at home to Richards Bay and away to Polokwane. Amazulu now look for revenge on Pirates who were 2-0 winners when the teams met in the first league meeting this season in early February.
The Verdict:
You need a long memory for Amazulu’s last win over Pirates and their record in Orlando is particularly weak. I’m not sure anything will change although there is pressure on Pirates after they dropped points last time out, reducing any margin for error between now and the end of the season.
Needs must for Pirates and I’ll take their multi goal tally to come in at 2-3.
Bets: Pirates multi goal 2-3 at 21/20 with Sportingbet
Polokwane City v Kaizer Chiefs
Polokwane are in seventh spot and holding on to a top half finish is a more than realistic target come the end of the season. They have been hard to catch right in recent weeks with just 1 win in their last 5 league games (away at TS Galaxy) and they haven’t registered a home win since the 27th September. Goals have generally been scarce across their 11 home games with 9 scored and 8 conceded.
Chiefs showed no mercy to struggling Magesi in a midweek catch up game as they romped to a 4-1 win. That was fifth success 3 point haul for Chiefs who also reeled off wins in home fixtures against Durban City (1-0), Magesi (2-0) and TS Galaxy (2-0) and also a road trip to Orbit College (3-1). Chiefs are 6 points clear in third spot and still have a game in hand on third placed Pirates but there is a 10 point gap to bridge to the Bucs and it’s 11 points to catch Sundowns.
The Verdict:
Chiefs were 1-0 winners when the teams met in August, continuing a trend of generally tight encounters in recent head to heads. They remain in Polokwane after thrashing Magesi in this neck of the woods in midweek and whilst they may have to work harder for maximum points here, I think they can make it 6 from 6.
Bets: Chiefs to win at 14/10 with SuperSportBet
Note, odds are subject to change
