Seven of the top eight feature this weekend, with everyone still playing catch up to run-away leaders Sundowns. Only five points separate second from eighth, and there could be some crucial ‘six pointers’ on the cards. We ran through the numbers to preview the weekend games.
DSTV Premiership is back, combs through the numbers and we come up with the best bets for your multis and bet slips as well as providing value bets.
Stellenbosch (4th) v Mamelodi Sundowns (1st)
A month that started off with a win against Kaizer Chiefs has turned out to be a tough one for Stellenbosch. Since beating Chiefs 1-0 on 2 November, Stellies have gone on an awful run in their next four games, first drawing and then losing back-to-back games. Moreover, they’ve kept one clean sheet in those games, with Over 2.5 conceded against Pirates probably their worst display. Touted as title challengers only a few weeks ago, Stellies must now aim to beat a Sundowns side focused on extending their PSL record of 23 unbeaten away from home. That will not be easy, and the flickering hopes of a title challenge could be extinguished totally this weekend.
100% – Sundowns have a 100% win rate over Stellenbosch in league matches since their promotion, winning all four games by an aggregate score of 9-2.
AmaZulu (8th) v Royal AM (3rd)
At the beginning of the season, AmaZulu would have been expected to cruise this fixture. But a glance at the table suggests this KZN derby will be much closer. Royal AM lie 3rd on the table before this weekend, occupying the CAF spots that AmaZulu will be desperate to get back to. That said, Keagan Dolly’s late penalty is the only goal AmaZulu have conceded at home this season – the fewest of all sides (1). So, there’s that. But clean sheets will matter little for Benni and his sides if they can’t convert them to wins.
8 – AmaZulu have drawn eight games already this season, more than they have at this stage of any PSL season. They are just one short of their draw total from the whole of last season (9).
Kaizer Chiefs (2nd) v CT City (10th)
It’s now almost five years since Eric Tinkler masterminded a Telkom Knockout final victory over Stuart Baxter’s Supersport. That remains his only triumph against the Scotsman though, who has beaten Tinkler three times (including a Nedbank Cup final), with three matches ending in a draw. This weekend, Tinkler’s City travel to Chiefs hoping to bag him that elusive second win.
Keagan Dolly and Khama Billiat are starting to dazzle for their faithful, and have each been involved in 10 goals across all competitions for the club. The size of Tinkler’s task is massive, and is made more complicated by their poor away form.
1 – Under Eric Tinkler’s second spell, City have won just one of their six league matches away from home, keeping one clean sheet in those.
Supersport (6th) v Sekhukhune (5th)
On paper, this would look like a home banker but like any match it is far from such. These two are separated by just one point on the table, and surprisingly it is Supersport that are trailing Sekhukhune. This tie could be equally close, especially when you consider Supersport have won only one of their last five matches. Meanwhile, no team has won more Sekhukhune on the road (3, joint with Chiefs and Sundowns).
Yet, Sekhukhune also have yo-yo results away from home with their six away games resulting in Win, Loss, Win, Loss, Win, Loss. Another win, then?