Mamelodi Sundowns v Supersport United Betting Guide by OptaJabu

PSL action resumes this week after a one week hiatus, with just 21 games remaining until the end of the season. The most abnormal season of our times has already provided 471 goals and been extended to June, but the champions could be decided this week, as Sundowns host neighbours Supersport with a chance to seal an unprecedented 11th PSL title. We previewed the Tshwane derby here, helping you with the context for your punting journey.

50 – This will be the 50th league clash between Sundowns and Supersport in the PSL era, making it the joint most played fixture on the PSL calendar.

DSTV Prem: Player of the Season Candidates – Part 1

Recent history points towards the champions-elect, however, Sundowns have lost just one league game to Supersport in the last eight years, with three matches ending in a draw and 11 wins for Downs. More than that, Supersport are winless in seven away games in the league. Kaitano Tembo was still a player at the club the last time they went on a longer winless run away from home (2001).

7 – Supersport are winless in seven away matches (Drew 4, Lost 3) – currently the second worst away run in the league, behind Swallows (8).

The Highest Scoring Fixture

Although a few other fixtures have been played 50 times (Chiefs v Pirates, Supersport v Pirates & v Chiefs, Sundowns v Pirates and v Chiefs), only one has produced as many goals as this one (119 goals in Supersport’s 50 meetings with Pirates, versus 118 in 49 Tshwane derbies). And if you’re in the mood for goals what better place to look than a fixture pitting the highest scoring team in the land.

41 – Sundowns have scored more goals in the league than any other side this season (41), despite having played the fewest games (26 with Pirates).

With PSL Golden Boot favourite Bradley Grobler rediscovering his scoring boots recently, that could also be a factor for more goals. Grobler is yet to score a goal in twelve matches played against Sundowns (all competitions), the longest he has gone without scoring against a single PSL opponent.

DSTV Prem: Player of the Season Candidates – Part 2

When the two sides met in January, they were 1st and 2nd in the league, with a two-point gap between them. Over time the chasm has grown, and Supersport are now 16 points behind, as the goals have dried up for them. In 15 games played in all competitions since the end of January, Kaitano Tembo’s men have scored Over 1.5 goals just once. The overreliance on Bradley Grobler has been an issue and only 7 players have found the next for Supersport this season, the fewest of all sides. Three goals conceded in 180 minutes plus tired Sundowns legs may be a defensive concern, but they are still the leaders for clean sheets in the division. In fact, Dennis Onyango is now guaranteed to finish with the Golden Glove at the end of the campaign.

4 – Sundowns have kept four successive clean sheets in the league – the last time they went on a longer clean sheet run in the same season was in 2017.

This miserly defence has ensured the title race is that much smoother.

Prediction