Our football pundit previews the PSL Week 21 action which kicks off on Friday 16 February 2018.
It’s that nail-biting period of the season when PSL teams are battling fiercely to secure their spots as the thrilling run-in gathers momentum. The highlight of the weekend is the crunch clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Cape Town City. Both teams have real chances to challenge for the title, keeping the excitement high and ensuring the upcoming games for the top of the table Mamelodi Sundowns remain anything but dead rubbers.
Elsewhere, Platinum Stars, desperate to clinch PSL survival, face a tough encounter against a previously struggling SuperSport United. Plus, fans can look forward to a spicy KZN derby that promises fireworks. Here’s how we see the gameweek shaping up…
Friday 16 February
Maritzburg United 11/10
Draw 21/10
AmaZulu 5/2
KZN derbies never disappoint and with both teams sitting comfortably in the top positions aiming to stay there until season’s end, expect a thrilling showdown! Maritzburg United currently stand sixth with two wins and two draws in their last five outings. Andrea Fileccia’s recent goal in the 3-1 Nedbank Cup win over Swallows FC adds more excitement, and fans will be eager to see if he can step up to fill the gap left by Evans Rusike.
AmaZulu edged past Mthatha Bucks on penalties in the Nedbank Cup after a rollercoaster 2-2 draw including extra time. Their home form has been solid but their away record leaves much to be desired, with only two wins from 10 away games in all competitions this season. Our call? Back the home side to come out on top.
Saturday 17 February
Baroka 27/20
Draw 2/1
Chippa United 2/1
Baroka are fighting to keep their top eight hopes alive, currently sitting ninth with the same points as the two teams above. Their recent form with only one win in five matches is concerning, and Gift Motupa’s goal-scoring seems to have tapered off recently after some missed chances.
Chippa United snapped a streak of four draws with a comfortable 2-0 Nedbank Cup win over Phiva Young Stars, extending their unbeaten run to six matches. Known for drawing games – tied with Golden Arrows for 11 stalemates each – expect another draw to be the likely outcome in this encounter.
Golden Arrows 15/10
Draw 19/10
Bidvest Wits 19/10
Golden Arrows are currently 12th, just two points above the relegation zone. Their form has been poor with only a single win in the last five games, including a heavy 3-0 Nedbank Cup loss to Kaizer Chiefs.
Bidvest Wits, after a tough season at the bottom, are unbeaten in the last five league matches climbing to 14th. With relegation avoidance as their key focus after a tough Nedbank Cup exit, expect Wits to come out strong and earn the win.
Kaizer Chiefs 9/10
Draw 9/4
Cape Town City 3/1
The headline clash of the weekend! Both sides trail the leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns, by seven points. A defeat here would likely knock the loser out of the title race. With both standing level on 31 points, and fresh from impressive Nedbank Cup wins – Cape Town City over Bidvest Wits 1-0 continuing Benni McCarthy’s winning record versus Gavin Hunt, and Chiefs hammering Golden Arrows 3-0 – this will be a tense match. Notably, former Chiefs striker Matthew Rusike, who scored on his City debut, will face his old club for the first time since leaving for Europe.
Both squads boast potent attacks with new signings making an impact, but City has been narrowly winning 1-0 games lately. Chiefs are prone to dropping points via draws, so we expect a tight match likely ending in a stalemate.
Sunday 18 February
*Please note the Bloemfontein Celtic vs Polokwane City match set for this day is postponed following the sad passing of Mogau Tshehla.
Tuesday 20 February
Platinum Stars 37/20
Draw 37/20
SuperSport United 33/20
Platinum Stars are struggling terribly, now winless in the last five matches, including four straight defeats. Coach Roger De Sa, being part of the new ownership, hopes to turn this season around for the once competitive club.
SuperSport United, after a relegation scare, recently secured a critical 4-2 win over Bloemfontein Celtic to move clear of danger. Eric Tinkler’s squad selection for the Nedbank Cup suggests league survival remains his top priority. Expect SuperSport to come out on top.
Wednesday 21 February
Mamelodi Sundowns 7/20
Draw 21/10
Free State Stars 37/10
The league leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns, are surging with a five-point cushion over second-placed Orlando Pirates and a game in hand. Percy Tau once again shone as they clinched a tough Nedbank Cup win against Cape Town All Stars.
Free State Stars are impressing too, sitting third with nine wins and six draws. Winning three of the last five games, they’ll aim to narrow the gap further with a shock victory. However, Sundowns seem too strong and are favourites to claim all three points.
TREBLE @ 10/1
Maritzburg United Win 11/10
SuperSport United Win 33/20
Mamelodi Sundowns Win 7/10
