It’s the final league round of the DStv Premiership and a lot is still at stake. The top-eight has one spot up for grabs and the battle to avoid the playoffs heats up between two KZN sides.

Richards Bay vs Stellenbosch | 25 May 2024

The embattled Richards Bay hosts a wounded Stellenbosch FC in a six-pointer that is likely to seal the fate of both clubs. Richards Bay’s survival hopes took a huge knock last weekend as they fell to a tough 3-1 loss against a struggling Cape Town City side. With Royal AM opening a three-point gap in 14th place ahead of the final fixtures, The Natal Rich Boys need to collect maximum points at home to increase their chances of avoiding the playoffs. Richards Bay has won their last three league outings at the King Zwelithini Stadium ahead of Stellies’ visit.

The Cape Winelands side has been struggling recently, having failed to win in their previous four appearances in all competitions. They were beaten 1-0 by Mamelodi Sundowns in their penultimate fixture, making it three league games without finding the net. Despite this poor form, Steve Barker’s side is still occupying second position on the log, with a one-point lead ahead of their nearest challengers, Orlando Pirates.

Take Stellies on the Double Chance

Prediction: Draw/Stellenbosch which is available @ 1.25. Click here to place a bet now!

Cape Town Spurs vs Kaizer Chiefs | 25 May 2024

The already relegated Cape Town Spurs will welcome the Glamour Boys in their final league match of the season. Ernst Middendorp’s side enjoyed a resurgent second part of the season, although it was too little, too late to prevent relegation. The Urban Warriors conceded an 84th-minute equalizer in their 1-1 stalemate against top-eight-chasing Golden Arrows last weekend, but that capitulation didn’t count for much as they are already preparing for life in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

Chiefs, still looking to secure a top-eight position, were held to a lackluster goalless draw against Polokwane City last week. The result, which was Chiefs’ third draw on the trot, further threatened their qualification for the MTN 8 next season. They are tied on points with 9th-placed AmaZulu and 10th-placed Polokwane, and nothing less than a win in Athlone Stadium could see them succumb to a new low of failing to ensure a top-eight finish.

Chiefs will win here but take them on the Double Chance.

Prediction: Draw/Kaizer Chiefs @ 1.18

Orlando Pirates vs SuperSport United | 25 May 2024

Two straight losses have thrown a spanner in the works for Pirates and their ambitions of securing a return to continental football. The Buccaneers’ poor form has coincided with their rivals Stellenbosch FC enduring a slump of their own, and that has brought the battle for second place down to the wire.

Just a single point separates Riveiro’s men from Stellies in second place, making this fixture against Matsatsantsa an important one. Bucs suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Galaxy last week and their loss of form could negatively affect preparations for the hugely anticipated Nedbank Cup showdown next month.

SuperSport United has steadily improved in recent weeks, going on a four-match unbeaten run after losing to Kaizer Chiefs last month.

Matsatsantsa recorded a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Moroka Swallows in their penultimate fixture and moved to fifth position on the log. SuperSport has endured a tough second part of the season, which was hampered by injuries to key players and poor finishing in front of goal as coach Gavin Hunt would normally say. SuperSport’s point tally with one match remaining means they won’t make a return to CAF football next season, perhaps a sight that would make Hunt a happy man.

I’m expecting both sides to find the net in this game. Pirates will surely find a way to win here to keep pressure on Stellies.

Prediction: Additional Totals Over 1.5

AmaZulu vs Golden Arrows | 25 May 2024

AmaZulu and Golden Arrows face off in this derby encounter that could guarantee a top-eight spot for the winner.

The KZN rivals are separated by just a single point in 9th and 11th position respectively, and victory for either side could ensure a KZN representative in the MTN 8 next campaign. Usuthu recorded a convincing 3-1 win in the reverse fixture in December and looks likely to retain bragging rights at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

Cijimpi’s men have earned five points from a possible nine against top-half opponents such as Stellenbosch, Kaizer Chiefs, and Sekhukhune United. The recent away win over Sekhukhune tied Usuthu with 8th-placed Chiefs on 36 points, meaning they need maximum points to control their own destiny.

Arrows have stabilized under Steve Komphela, but failure to win any of their past six league matches increases the likelihood of a loss against their cross-town foes. They needed an 84th-minute equalizer to steal a point against an already relegated Spurs in their last encounter, and that doesn’t bode well for them ahead of this hugely important derby.

Prediction: AmaZulu Win @ 2.13 | Click here to take this bet now!

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