Sunday could prove to be a definitive day in the Betway Premiership title race as Orlando Pirates clash with Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby and Richards Bay host Mamelodi Sundowns.
Orlando Pirates v Kaizer Chiefs
Pirates dropped valuable points in a 2-2 draw away to Richards Bay over Easter but they bounced back with a 3-0 home win over Amazulu last time out. They come into this game 1 point clear at the top of log with Sundowns, who have a game in hand, in second spot. Kaizer Chiefs are third but they are 12 points behind Pirates, also with a game in hand. Since losing to Sundowns on the 18th February Pirates have won 6 and drawn 2 of their league games and some wide margins wins have boosted their goal difference which currently stands at +39 to Sundowns +30.
This is the first of 5 remaining league games for Pirates who will visit Stellenbosch and Magesi before a home game against Durban City and they finish up away to Orbit College.
Chiefs 5 match winning streak came to an end when they played out a 0-0 draw away to Polokwane City last weekend. Prior to that they showed no mercy to struggling Magesi with a 4-1 victory, they also reeled off wins in home fixtures against Durban City (1-0), Magesi (2-0) and TS Galaxy (2-0) and came out on top in a road trip to Orbit College (3-1). Chiefs are 7 points clear of Amazulu in third spot and they now seek revenge on Pirates wo beat them 3-0 in the first league meeting this season at the end of February.
The Verdict:
After much consideration I’m siding with Pirates to score 2 goals or more. That should be enough to win the game but I would swerve calling the match result.
Bets: Pirates total goals, over 1.5 at 11/10 with Lucky Fish
Richards Bay v Mamelodi Sundowns
Shortly after the Soweto derby has finished Richards Bay are bidding to continue their recent improvement when they square off with Sundowns. They will kick off just below half way in the standings but recent form is good with 2 wins and 1 draw in their last 3. Those wins came at home to Stellenbosch (2-1) and most recently away to TS Galaxy (1-0) but in between they played out what could be a very significant 2-2 draw at home to Pirates where they were only denied victory by an injury time equalizer.
Sundowns come into the weekend just 1 point behind Pirates with a game in hand. They missed an opportunity to go top of the log when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Stellenbosch in a midweek home fixture, conceding an 86th minute equalizer. Prior to that they reeled off 10 straight Betway Premiership wins and their only league defeat this season came away to Golden Arrows back in September.
Sundowns have also been in CAF Champions League action recently and they won both legs of their semi final match up with Esperance by a 1-0 scoreline and they will meet ASFAR of Morocco in the final staged over 2 legs next month. Their Betway Premiership run in comprises of this match followed by two games against Polokwane, home fixtures against Chiefs and Siwelele and they finish up away to TS Galaxy.
The Verdict:
Downs put 4 goals past Richards Bay in the MTN8 this season and also the first league meeting but both of those came at the start of the campaign and the pressure is significantly higher now. After conceding in midweek late on there could be some nerves in the Downs defence and given Richards Bay scored twice against Pirates recently I will take my chances with both teams to score.
Bets: Both teams to score? Yes at 13/10 with SuperSportBet
Note, odds are subject to change
