The DSTV Premiership returns from a short FIFA break and seven fixtures are set to be played this weekend. With Mamelodi Sundowns off to their Champions League commitment, SuperSport United are set for a rest. The other 14 teams will battle it out at a stage of the season when every point really matters.
Cape Town City vs Kaizer Chiefs | 30 March | 15:30
Cape Town City will aim to arrest their recent poor league form when they take on Kaizer Chiefs in at Athlone Stadium.
Eric Tinker’s men have endured a frustrating return to action in the second-half of the season. They are winless in five matches in all competitions since the league’s resumption in February. This poor run has seen them drop to fifth on the log, and looking unlikely to mount any serious title challenge at the top. Forward Khanyisa Mayo’s return of four goals in the second-half of the season has not helped City who are defensively disastrous at the moment.
Although their form has been worrying, the Glamour Boys have closed the gap on City to just two points and a win in the Mother City will move them into fifth position. Interim coach Cavin Johnson finally received the brutal response of the club’s angry fans after the 3-2 derby loss to Orlando Pirates on the 9th of March. Chiefs’ scoring woes have followed them into 2024 and have only recorded one victory in five encounters. The 1-0 win against Golden Arrows represented Chiefs’ first goal of the year, which came after four games.
Chiefs could get something from this match if Ashley Du Preez continues from his derby double and improve his finishing. I don’t see a lot of goals here, but the home side is most likely to win. Back City on the Double Chance.
Prediction: Cape Town City Win/Draw @ 1.34. Place this bet now here!
Golden Arrows vs Richards Bay | 30 March | 15:30
Vusumuzi Vilakazi visits his former side Golden Arrows in a league encounter with the hope of prolonging Richards Bay’s minimal chances of escaping relegation.
Steve Komphela’s tenure as Golden Arrows head coach started with a 1-0 victory over Polokwane City, arresting a slump of 11 straight losses in the process. The returning Komphela seems to have ignited the spark lacking during Mabhudi Khenyeza’s time, which saw the club fail to score and defend their goal. Abafana Bes’thende played with purpose and urgency against Rise and Shine and were duly rewarded. Arrows won the reserve fixture 1-0 at King Zwelithini.
The Rich Boys’ hopes of playing top-flight football next season are hanging by a short thread. They lost three straight league games before recording a goalless draw against TS Galaxy. Cape Town Spurs’ improved form has lessened the relegation battle gap to just two points, with the Rich Boys now in danger of slipping to the automatic relegation position with a derby loss. Kanu’s side are seven points close to Moroka Swallows in 14th place and a victory may see them edge to four points.
I believe Arrows might have just turned a corner with Komphela’s appointment and their visitors are struggling so far. Richards Bay have lost their previous two games on the road, conceding six goals in the process. If there’s a winner here, it certainly won’t be the away side. Back Arrows on the Double Chance.
Prediction: Golden Arrows win/Draw @ 1.33
Sekhukhune United vs Orlando Pirates | 30 March | 17:45
Sekhukhune United’s upturn in form will be met with fierce resistance when they host the undefeated Orlando Pirates at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Sekhukhune’s four straight wins has seen them jump to sixth place on the log table, moving ahead of Chiefs and Galaxy who had occupied this positon for longer periods in the first-half of the season. Babina Noko have scored eight goals during their winning run, and conceding just twice. Lehlogonolo Seema’s side have been rejuvenated since the league resumed, shooting straight to top eight contention after languishing near the bottom in the first round.
The Sea Robbers displayed resilience as they came from behind twice to win 3-2 against Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby. That victory moved them to second behind Sundowns at the summit of the log, with a gap of 13 points separating them. Bucs are unbeaten in six games across all formats since the turnoff the year, winning four times and recording two stalemates. Jose Riveiro’s side kept their only clean sheet this year in a 1-0 win over Polokwane City at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The statistics favour the Buccaneers for this fixture, having won five of the previous seven games against Sekhukhune. They won 1-0 in the reverse fixture and boast the quality needed to unlock Babina Noko. The away side are in great form and may prove a sterner test for Bucs. I see both teams finding the back of the net.
Prediction: Both Teams to Score (yes)
