07 November 2019, by: Leonard Solms

PSL Predictions – Matchday 11

The Soweto derby is the headline fixture in a crucial weekend of PSL football. However, Mamelodi Sundowns face an equally important challenge as they visit a well-drilled Golden Arrows side. First, however, there is a Friday night clash which could have ramifications for the title race.

Bidvest Wits host a SuperSport United side which has already beaten them 3-0 at Bidvest Stadium in the MTN8 this season. Gavin Hunt will not want a repeat in the league against his former club.

SuperSport United have been struggling to find form since their heroic MTN8 triumph, but this fixture presents them with an ideal opportunity. They tend to raise their game for big fixtures.

Matsatsantsa’s big-match temperament, balanced against Bidvest Wits’ good form, makes this one too close to call.

Eric Tinkler’s Maritzburg United have gone six games unbeaten and he will be hoping to extend that streak against Bloemfontein Celtic at the Harry Gwala Stadium.

Phunya Sele Sele beat Highlands Park 3-1 in midweek, setting them up nicely for this fixture. Maritzburg drew 0-0 to Orlando Pirates in a match which saw Kwanda Mngonyama and Happy Jele red-carded.

Mngonyama will sit out Friday’s fixture through suspension, but in-form Maritzburg should have enough firepower to win at home.

Kaizer Chiefs won a fiercely-contested Telkom Knockout Soweto derby on penalties last weekend, but they will put their bragging rights on the line once more come Saturday at FNB Stadium.

Orlando Pirates gave it all they had in Durban, but still came up just short in a hot-tempered cup tie. Kaizer Chiefs did not play as well as they are capable of and shrewd tactician Ernst Middendorp will no doubt have learned a lesson or two.

The balance of power can change all too rapidly in Soweto, as we have learned this season, but Chiefs look a far more clinical outfit than their rivals and are tipped for a victory that would pile pressure onto Rhulani Mokwena.

Two sides struggling for consistency are set to face off at Cape Town Stadium in the another Saturday afternoon clash.

Stellenbosch won their last home game 1-0 against Orlando Pirates, but were brought back down to earth with a 2-0 away loss to AmaZulu. Highlands Park, meanwhile, were the talk of the town mere weeks ago but have now lost three games on the trot.

The Lions of the North have plenty of supremely talented players, but Stellies’ experience makes them difficult to break down on their best days. Home advantage should suit Steve Barker’s side, but playing in Cape Town is never quite the same as playing at home in the winelands.

On the balance of things, a draw is a likely outcome for this fixture.

This Limpopo derby sees two under-fire coaches go head to head. Zlatko Krmpotić’s Polokwane City host Wedson Nyirenda’s Baroka at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Krmpotić  that there are underlying problems behind his team’s poor form. However, Charlton Mashumba is a player worth watching after a midweek hat-trick in the 5-3 loss to Cape Town City.

Nyirenda, meanwhile, has  that his job could be under pressure due to his club’s poor results. Even so, Baroka have not been quite as shambolic as Polokwane City lately.

Bakgaga held Mamelodi Sundowns to a 0-0 draw in midweek and are tipped for another good result, this time picking up all three points.

AmaZulu appear to be fighting their way out of a dark spot and will look to continue their newfound form at home to Chippa United at the Princess Magogo Stadium.

Chippa have put in some decent shifts under Norman Mapeza, but nevertheless find themselves where Usuthu were not too long ago — at the bottom of the Premiership table.

This will not be an easy fixture for Jozef Vukušič’s charges, but with Bongi Ntuli in inspirational form, they are tipped to heap more misery on the Chilli Boys.

Steve Komphela’s Golden Arrows appear to be growing week-on-week. After a Telkom Knockout win and league draw with SuperSport United, they turn their attention to another Tshwane side at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.

Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns have been struggling for form recently and life won’t get any easier from here with the CAF Champions League group stages looming.

They will surely go hammer and tongs in search of the three points, but Abafana Bes’thende are a tough nut to crack on their own turf. Komphela’s charges are tipped to come away from this contest with a draw.

The Jan Olde Riekerink era at Cape Town City starts (work permit pending) with a trip to Black Leopards at Thohoyandou Stadium. Lots of goals are expected for this one.

Vasili Manousakis presided over City’s 5-3 win over Polokwane City in midweek, while Luc Eymael’s men drew their last match 2-2 to SuperSport United.

Black Leopards fans make their home ground a tough place to visit, but City appear galvanised and determined to prove a point again. They should come away with all three here by the skin of their teeth.

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