Our football writer previews the NFD week 11 action which gets underway on Saturday 18 November 2017.
Highlands Park have managed to hold on to top spot with University of Pretoria in hot pursuit. Jomo Cosmos have put themselves in a great spot to push for PSL promotion after a commanding win over Black Leopards.
Down at the lower end, it looks like Ubuntu Cape Town will need a miracle to avoid relegation, while Richards Bay might just escape the drop if they can find a winning touch after drawing their last four games. Let’s break down what to expect in week 11.
Saturday 18 November
Black Leopards 13/10 | Draw 21/10 | Mthatha Bucks 19/10
Leopards are struggling this season, coming off back-to-back defeats and sitting 13th on the log with only two wins from 10 matches.
Mthatha Bucks are also having a tough run, placed 10th with three wins and four draws from their first 10. Their recent form is patchy, with three losses in the last five games. A draw seems the most probable outcome here.
Mbombela United 12/10 | Draw 21/10 | Tshakhuma FC 2/1
Mbombela settled for a goalless draw against Richards Bay last week and have slipped to fourth place, just three points off the summit. A win here is crucial to keep the title chase alive.
Tshakhuma have bounced back well, unbeaten in their last five games with two wins and three draws. Sitting sixth with 15 points after 10 games, they are a tough side. My tip: Mbombela will take the win at home.
Richards Bay 33/20 | Draw 19/10 | Witbank Spurs 33/20
Richards Bay sit in the relegation zone, with only Ubuntu Cape Town below them. They come into this match after four straight draws and will count on the home advantage for a much-needed boost.
Witbank Spurs have been inconsistent but are unbeaten in their last three matches. Their last outing was a 1-1 draw with Royal Eagles. This game may end in a draw again.
Royal Eagles 13/10 | Draw 21/10 | Real Kings FC 19/10
New coach Zipho Dlangalala’s early promise at Royal Eagles has faded, with two defeats and a draw following initial wins. They face a tough KZN derby against Real Kings, a defensively solid side.
Real Kings have kept two clean sheets and won 1-0 in their last two matches. The trend suggests another narrow 1-0 win for Real Kings.
University of Pretoria 9/20 | Draw 28/10 | Ubuntu Cape Town 11/2
Ubuntu Cape Town remain winless after 10 matches and face a daunting task against league title hopefuls University of Pretoria.
AmaTuks trail Highlands Park by just one point and showed great spirit with a 1-0 win over Uthongathi FC last week. Backing Shaun Bartlett’s men for full points is a safe bet.
Uthongathi 2/1 | Draw 21/10 | Highlands Park 12/10
Uthongathi suffered their second defeat last week, losing 1-0 to University of Pretoria. Now they face top-of-the-table Highlands Park, who boast three straight wins and demolished Stellenbosch 3-0 last week.
The Cane Cutters will need a stellar performance to topple Highlands Park, but my bet is on Highlands Park to continue their winning streak.
Sunday 19 November
Stellenbosch 12/10 | Draw 21/10 | Jomo Cosmos 2/1
This high-stakes clash features a top five battle. Stellenbosch have hit a rough patch, winless in their last four matches, dropping to fifth.
Jomo Cosmos are riding a wave of confidence with three straight wins. Experienced and having gained PSL promotion before, Ezenkosi are third and ready to claim the win here. Expect Jomo Cosmos to triumph.
Super Eagles 14/10 | Draw 2/1 | Cape Town All Stars 18/10
Super Eagles are struggling, just above the relegation zone and without a win in four league games.
Cape Town All Stars display inconsistency but are ninth on the log. This is their chance to climb the table against a vulnerable opponent. I’m backing the Mother City side to get the win.
TREBLE @ 17/2
University of Pretoria Win 9/20
Highlands Park Win 12/10
Jomo Cosmos Win 2/1
