12 September 2019, by: Leonard Solms

PSL Predictions – Matchday 5

PSL football returns after the international break with six matches taking place over the weekend of 14-15 September. Mamelodi Sundowns, Bidvest Wits, Highlands Park and Maritzburg United are the only teams to miss out.

Kaizer Chiefs can put some breathing space between themselves and their title rivals while Orlando Pirates are still chasing that elusive first win under Rhulani Mokwena. Bettors can also look forward to the Durban derby and a clash between the 2017 and 2018 MTN8 finalists.

A 5-0 away defeat to Bloemfontein Celtic aside, Arrows have been in solid form. Steve Komphela’s men have picked up home wins against Maritzburg United (1-0) and Chippa United (2-1). Abafana Bes’thende comes into this match off the back of a 0-0 away draw to Orlando Pirates and they are back on home soil at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.

Their visitors, AmaZulu, will not have to travel far. Usuthu can be forgiven for not quite feeling at home when they step out onto the pitch though. Cavin Johnson’s men are on a dismal run of form and sit bottom of the table. They have put in some decent performances, but their luck seems to be out.

The hosts are tipped to claim a narrow win and bragging rights in eThekwini until the February rematch.

Rhulani Mokwena’s two league matches since taking the reins have ended in back-to-back 0-0 draws against AmaZulu and Golden Arrows. Playing at Orlando Stadium against struggling Chippa United provides them with a good chance to finally pick up three points.

This is not an opportunity which Ezikamagebhula can afford to blow. However, they are not the only team heading into this game with plenty at stake. Chippa have picked up home draws this season against Stellenbosch, Mamelodi Sundowns and Polokwane City but lost their only away game 2-1 to Golden Arrows.

Pirates are expected to edge this one, but recent trends suggest goals will come at a premium.

Amakhosi have been ruthlessly effective this season, even if not breathtaking, with three one-goal victories in four games. Home ground advantage at FNB Stadium will make the league leaders a difficult team for Polokwane City to stop.

However, Rise and Shine will be no pushovers having perennially punched above their weight in recent seasons. This one has been no different thus far. Despite the sudden exit of coach Jozef Vukušič and the departures of Sammy Seabi and Rodney Ramagalela, Polokwane City have kept pushing. A 2-0 away win over Cape Town City in the MTN8 quarter-finals showed what they are capable of and they currently sit fifth in the league.

The Glamour Boys are expected to survive this test, but only by the skin of their teeth.

Matsatsantsa have been in tremendous form this season, surviving many tough tests against top sides. They lie fourth in the league despite having already played Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.

Kaitano Tembo’s charges face another of the Premiership’s best teams on paper, but Cape Town City have not lived up to their potential this season. They have shown flashes of their best form, for example in the 1-1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns and in the first half of the 2-1 loss to Kaizer Chiefs. However, they have often struggled to last the full 90 minutes.

This looks set to be a cracking, closely-contested fixture, but the clinical SuperSport United are tipped to squeeze through with three points at Mbombela Stadium.

Lidoda Duvha have struggled to score this season as speculation over the future of star striker Mwape Musonda has persisted. They ultimately managed to hold onto him, which counts in their favour. Furthermore, they have been reasonably solid at the back.

Baroka started the season well, drawing 2-2 to Cape Town City and beating Bidvest Wits 1-0. However, they followed that up with a 0-0 draw to 10-man Bloemfontein Celtic and a 2-0 loss to SuperSport United.

These results suggest there probably won’t be goals galore at this Limpopo derby. Home advantage at Thohoyandou Stadium should give Leopards a leg up.

Phunya Sele Sele have been as good as anyone on attack this season, scoring seven goals in their opening four league fixtures. However, they have struggled defensively.

Stellenbosch, by contrast, have not put the ball in the back of the net without the assistance of an opponent all season despite being solid at the back. They do have one goal to their name, but that was a Thulani Hlatshwayo own goal.

With Bloem Celtic having already faced Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, they have fared better than results suggest. Another loss is on the cards for 15th-placed Stellies as they visit the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium.

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