Following an exhilarating round of fixtures on Tuesday, brace yourselves for three more thrilling DStv Premiership matchups tonight. Cape Town Spurs will be looking to do a double over Orlando Pirates when they clash.
Here’s a preview and predictions for tonight’s action.
Chippa United vs Richards Bay
13th placed Chippa have begun the season with two consecutive draws against teams in the top-half of the table. Co-coaches Thabo September and Kwanele Kopo may see the stalemates as a change in the right direction for the Chill Boys who had been struggling before they resumed their duties in Port Elizabeth. A win over NC Pro’s in the Ke Yona was another important result for the co-coaches.
The games are coming thick and fast for Richards Bay who are crumbling at the moment. Two straight league defeats against Sekhukhune United and Royal AM have left the Rich Boys in a precarious situation, as they are now three points away from safety. Failure to create and convert chances has been their downfall this season, but is their inability to shore up at the back. With Cape Town Spurs grinding out results, the clock is ticking for coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi and his men.
Bay have scored five goals since the season’s resumption and have also conceded six. Bay have shown some extended issues on the road, losing three games in consecutive fashion. Having lost to Royal AM over the weekend, I believe the away side will lose here if they can’t get a point.
Prediction: Chippa United Win /Draw
Orlando Pirates vs Cape Town Spurs
Cape Town Spurs will be hoping to do a double over the Sea Robbers having beaten them 2-1 for their first win of the season back in November. Pirates have started the year with an improved form and are yet to lose in three games. Spurs on the other hand, look galvanized under Ernst Middendorp who has steered them to two straight league games.
Bucs have collected four points in the past two games, plus a morale-boosting 6-0 win over minnows Crystal Lake in the Nedbank Cup last 32. Pirates’ 1-0 win over Polokwane City over the weekend saw them surge into the top four, two points behind second-placed Cape Town City. Coach Jose Riveiro has already encouraged his side to fight for second place, and a win at Orlando Stadium will see Bucs stride to that position. Spurs are now three points behind Richards Bay who are placed in 15th position and another win will see them breathe new life into their season. Middendorp has seemingly motivated his young side who look defensively resolute as they have conceded just once in two matches.
Pirates have conceded in their five previous league games while the visitors have recorded just one clean sheet in the past five league meetings. Spurs might have turned a corner but I don’t see them beating a solid Pirates outfit who held Sundowns to a 1-1 draw despite playing with 10 men for more than 30 minutes.
Prediction: Orlando Pirates/Draw
Sekhukhune United vs Royal AM
Sekhukhune have started the year in great form, winning both their league fixtures, including a penalty shootout win over third-tier Highlands Park in the Nedbank Cup Last 32. The visit of Royal AM comes at a good time Lehlogonolo Seema’s side who are unbeaten in five games this year, while the visitors secured their first win of the new year with a 2-1 win over Richards Bay on Saturday.
Royal AM had secured just one point in their two matches before defeating the Rich Boys, in a result that moved them into 12th position, nine above the relegation zone. Occupying the last MTN 8 place on 24 points, Sekhukhune recent purple patch has been aided by the return of key men such as Linda Mntambo who has fitted seamlessly on the side.
Babina Noko won 1-0 in the first round and are hugely tipped to do the double over Royal AM. Despite both teams struggling infront of goal, I don’t see this game ending as a draw, especially when the home side are yet to lose at all this year. Sekhukhune will command a victory in this tie.
Prediction: Sekhukhune Straight Win
