Our football expert is pumped to preview the round 22 clashes of the National First Division, kicking off Friday 23 February 2018.
Highlands Park’s promotion looks nailed on and it’s tough to bet against the dominant Lions of the North. They hold a comfortable nine-point lead on top of the standings with nine games left, fresh off a commanding 4-0 win over Jomo Cosmos on Sunday.
Tshakhuma slipped to third after a 3-1 loss to Cape Town All Stars, with Real Kings sneaking into second. Down the bottom, Ubuntu Cape Town, Mthatha Bucks, and Royal Eagles are battling to avoid relegation. Uthongathi, also in danger, face the relentless Highlands Park powerhouse. Can they stand their ground?
Friday 23 February
Cape Town All Stars 9/10
Draw 22/10
Super Eagles 28/10
After a breathtaking fight against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup, Cape Town All Stars powered past promotion challengers Tshakhuma 3-1 last week. The Igugu Lekapa haven’t lost at home in eight league matches.
Super Eagles, struggling just three points above relegation, have not won in four outings. I’m not backing them to get anything from this tough away clash against a confident Cape Town All Stars side. Place your bets on the home team to win.
Saturday 24 February
Mthatha Bucks 28/10
Draw 22/10
Black Leopards 9/10
A contrast of fortunes here! Mthatha Bucks have been poor lately, with just one win in the last five league matches. They sit second from bottom.
Meanwhile, Black Leopards are flying—three wins running and now sitting fourth, keeping promotion playoffs within reach. Backing Leopards for the win is the smart move.
Real Kings 6/10
Draw 5/2
Royal Eagles 17/4
Real Kings remain undefeated at home this season after 10 games and sit second, with defence their bedrock. Last week they clinched the KZN bragging rights by edging Richards Bay 1-0.
Royal Eagles find themselves in 14th and on a three-game winless streak. The new coach Roger Sikhakhane’s impact is yet to be felt. Expect Real Kings to hold their fortress and win again.
Tshakhuma FC 9/10
Draw 22/10
Mbombela United 28/10
Tshakhuma lost their second place to Real Kings after last week’s defeat to Cape Town All Stars—their first home loss in seven league games. Coach Manavhela will be fired up to bounce back.
Mbombela is a wildcard with an inconsistent record – nine wins, eight losses, four draws. You never know which side shows up, making them a tricky opponent. Tshakhuma are tipped to pull through.
Witbank Spurs 11/10
Draw 2/1
Richards Bay 5/2
Witbank Spurs sit eighth with a recent form of two wins, two draws, one loss. Despite their mid-table standing, they’re only four points from the top trio, so they’re still in the mix. Richards Bay is 13th and winless in four straight. They just lost the KZN derby to the Real Kings by a single goal. Back Witbank Spurs to get the three points at home.
Sunday 25 February
Highlands Park 4/10
Draw 28/10
Uthongathi 7/1
Highlands Park are just on another level in the NFD. Their statement 4-0 victory over Jomo Cosmos proved it. Sitting comfortably on top with a nine-point cushion, they’ve remained unbeaten since week five, with 11 wins and five draws since.
Uthongathi’s form isn’t great – only one win under new coach Sammy Troughton and three matches since without a win. Expect Highlands Park to take this easily.
Jomo Cosmos 13/10
Draw 2/1
Stellenbosch 2/1
Jomo Cosmos tasted their first home defeat this season with that heavy 4-0 loss to Highlands Park. It has plunged them into fifth place on the log after six straight without a win.
Stellenbosch sit sixth and have not lost in their last four games. Last week, they drew 1-1 with bottom-placed Ubuntu Cape Town. The momentum is with the visitors, so get behind Stellenbosch this Sunday.
Ubuntu Cape Town 18/10
Draw 19/10
University of Pretoria 15/10
University of Pretoria are still in the mix for promotion, just three points off the top three. They were held to a nil-nil draw by struggling Mthatha Bucks last week.
Ubuntu Cape Town fights relegation and are currently on a four-match winless run, but did hold Stellenbosch to a 1-1 last week. This one looks tight, so a draw could be on the cards.
TREBLE @ 3/1
Cape Town All Stars Win 9/10
Real Kings Win 6/10
Highlands Park Win 4/10
