Our featured Betway Premiership match on Wednesday is as big as gets in terms of the title race as Orlando Pirates clash with Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium
Orlando Pirates
Pirates were the only one of the top 3 sides in action last weekend and a 3-0 home win over Marumo Gallants means they come into the game 6 points clear of Sundowns and Sekhukhune and 8 better off than fourth placed Kaizer Chiefs. The Bucs have played one game more than Chiefs and Downs and 2 fewer than Sekhukhune. They are due to face Chiefs later this month so February promises to be a pivotal month in the title race.
Since the mid season break Pirates have also played out a 0-0 draw away to Sekhukhune and a comfortable 2-0 home win over Magesi and a 2-0 win at Amazulu. That stretches their Betway Premiership unbeaten run to 14 matches (12 wins and 2 draws) and they have kept a clean sheet in each of their last 6 league outings.
Mamelodi Sundowns
Since the action returned following AFCON Downs have played just the 2 league matches, winning them both 2-0, at home to Orbit College and away to Sekhukhune. Like Pirates they have also progressed in the Nedbank Cup and 2 recent CAF Champions League fixtures saw them take 4 points, most recently a 2-0 win at home to MC Alger have clinched a quarter final place.
Downs only league defeat this season came away at Arrows, they have won 9 league games but had to settle for a draw in another 5.
Recent Head to Head
The first league meeting this season came on 1st November and it finished 1-1.
Pirates also knocked Sundowns out of the MTN8 on spot kicks. Both legs finished 1-1 and Pirates held their nerve from the spot and went on to win the trophy.
The Betting:
At the time of writing Betway have Pirates trading at 18/10 to win the match, the draw is favourite at 16/10 and Sundowns can be backed at 1.95/1.
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 1,75/1 and it’s 23/20 for both teams to score.
The Verdict:
Sundowns simply can’t afford to lose this match as Pirates have no CAF competition engagements to juggle resources and with the MTN8 and Carling Knockout trophies banked they are in the mix for a clean sweep of domestic silverware.
I can understand why the draw is trading as favourite but for a betting interest I’m looking at both teams to score which has arrived in all 3 head to heads this season.
Bet: Both teams to score? Yes at 23/20 with Betway
Note, odds are subject to change