Tuesday’s Betway Premiership action sees TS Galaxy host a Mamelodi Sundowns side who need maximum points to keep the pressure right up in the title race.
TS Galaxy
Galaxy are 13 league games without a win, a sequence that has seen them slide down the standings and change coach. They come into this game fifth from bottom with 28 points, that is 5 more than Marumo Gallants who are currently second bottom and they can’t be caught by Magesi who have 21 points and fill the automatic relegation spot. A glance at the standings suggests Galaxy still look likely to avoid the relegation play offs with this game and a visit to Golden Arrows to come.
Galaxy lost the Nedbank Cup final (2-1) to Durban City recently whilst their last 3 league games have all finished in a draw against sides currently below them in the standings, at home to Magesi (0-0), away to Gallants (1-1) and most recently at home to Chippa (also 1-1).
Sundowns
Sundowns come into what is their final league game 3 points clear of Pirates in the title race but they have played 1 game more than the Bucs and Downs have an inferior goal difference (+37 to +44).
This is their final league game of the season and it has been brought forward due to their CAF Champions League Final date with RAF of Morocco later this month. Although a win will send Sundowns 6 points clear, Pirates remaining matches comprise of a home fixture against Durban City on the 16th May and a visit to Orbit College on the 23rd May and the Bucs will then require maximum points from both their games (presumably maintaining their goal difference advantage in the process).
Last week Sundowns played out a 1-1 draw at home to Kaizer Chiefs, a result which could still prove costly. They bounced back in an amazing home fixture against Siwelele at the weekend which they won 7-4 with all their goal arriving in the first 60 minutes, helping to set a record total goals tally for a PSL match. Downs are now 20 games unbeaten in the league and 14 of those games have been won. Their only league defeat this season came away to Golden Arrows back in September.
Recent Head to Head
Galaxy sprang a surprise with a 2-0 home win over Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup in early February whilst Downs won the first league meeting this season 1-0 in early November.
The Betting
At the time of writing Lucky Fish make Galaxy a 76/10 shot with the draw trading at 3/1 and Sundowns are short priced favourites at 4/10.
A game of 3 goals or more in total is priced at 9/10 and it’s 5/4 for both teams to score.
The Verdict:
Whilst I don’t see Sundowns catching up with Pirates goal difference I do think they can win here and add at least 3 more goals to their tally to ensure the title race goes to the final day.
Bets: Away team goals 3 or more at 7/4 with Sportingbet
Note, odds are subject to change