30 July 2019, by: Leonard Solms

PSL PREDICTIONS – MATCHDAY 1

The PSL season kicks off on 3 August and there should be several tight encounters in round 1 of the Absa Premeriship. With four intra-provincial derbies on the cards, there are several tensely-fought draws tipped among the opening fixtures.

BET Central will preview every match of the season starting now with our writer, Leonard Solms, offering a brief analysis and prediction for each game.

Newly-promoted Stellenbosch FC travel to Port Elizabeth for their first game in the top flight. Both of these teams might find themselves struggling for survival come the end of the campaign and so this is a six-pointer in a sense.

Stellenbosch have recruited wisely with experienced players such as Morgan Gould, Mpho Matsi and Marc van Heerden joining an already talented squad. The lethal Iqraam Rayners gives Steve Barker’s men an edge upfront.

Chippa have made some interesting signings themselves such as Diamond Thopola and Patrick Tignyemb. However, Stellenbosch are a better team on paper and should come away from the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium with all three points.

Prediction: Stellenbosch 1-0

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In arguably the pick of the opening weekend’s fixtures, Mamelodi Sundowns begin their title defence with a Tshwane derby against SuperSport United. Masandawana are the better team on paper but need to shake off their habit of starting the season slowly.

The Lucas Moripe Stadium plays host to this clash between two teams who have been relatively quiet in the transfer market. SuperSport have only brought in Thamsanqa Gabuza and Kudakwashe Mahachi at the time of writing while Sundowns have made just the lone signing of Mauricio Affonso.

It is easy to forget that Kaitano Tembo’s Matsatsantsa were amongst the leading pack for much of last season. They will be no pushovers for Sundowns and this match should go to the wire with a draw the tip.

Prediction: 1-1 Draw

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Benni McCarthy’s men outscored the rest of the Absa Premiership last season, also winning the MTN8. He has made no secret of Cape Town City’s intentions to gun for the league title this season. The first step is a visit to Baroka at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

City weren’t as free-flowing on the road as they were in Cape Town last season. Even though Baroka look like a team in trouble after several risky signings with little to no Absa Premiership experience, don’t expect them to make life easy for their visitors.

Cape Town City are predicted to survive a scare, snatching a narrow win in a game with no shortage of goals.

Prediction: Cape Town City Win 2-1

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Orlando Pirates are the strongest team in the league on paper after successive second-place finishes and several quality signings. Perhaps fans at Orlando Stadium could get a glimpse of the likes of Fortune Makaringe, Joris Delle and Siphesihle Ndlovu.

Fellow new signings Bongani Sam, Tshegofatso Mabasa and Kabelo Dlamini will be up against the club which Pirates acquired them from should they play any part. There will be no love lost on the pitch as the Buccaneers transition from a team afraid to announce its title ambitions to a ruthless winning machine.

Ezikamagebhula should be too strong for a club which has yet to sort out its off-field issues. The Ghost in the stands will be the 12th man and will spur Pirates on to a perfect start.

Prediction: Orlando Pirates Win 2-0

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A decent season for AmaZulu in 2018/19 was stunted by a six-point deduction, but Wits undoubtedly had the better of the last campaign. The Clever Boys qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup after a disastrous start to the previous season saw them temporarily drop out of South Africa’s elite.

Gavin Hunt’s men now face a struggle to keep up to giants Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and emerging big guns Cape Town City in a league with rising standards at the top. 

A trip to AmaZulu on Saturday will not be an easy start. Wits have struggled to strengthen during the off-season and will be up against former player Lehlohonolo Majoro’s new club.

This is the sort of match which Wits could be expected to win on home soil, but a draw is the likely outcome at the King Zwelithini Stadium.

Prediction: 1-1 Draw

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Kaizer Chiefs looked woefully unprepared for the new season during their 2-0 Carling Black Label Cup defeat to Orlando Pirates. The wounds of missing out on last season’s top eight and losing the Nedbank Cup final to unfancied TS Galaxy are still raw.

After Amakhosi spurned chances galore against Pirates, they need to find their finishing boots to avoid dropping points against Highlands Park.  

Away to a Lions of the North side which picked up more draws than any other Absa Premiership team last season (14), a stalemate looks the likely outcome at Makhulong Stadium.

Prediction: 0-0 Draw

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Black Leopards will have not only the support of an incredible home set of fans at the Thohoyandou Stadium, but also a boost from a host of new signings. Up against a Polokwane City side which has experienced some degree of disarray following the departure of coach Jozef Vukušič, they should have the edge.

The likes of Thabo Matlaba and Thuso Phala have valuable experience to pass on, making life easier for their own new coach — Lionel Soccoia.

Lidoda Duvha tend to struggle on the road, but they are a tough team to beat on home soil and are tipped for victory in this Limpopo derby.

Prediction: Black Leopards Win 1-0

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Maritzburg United were the Absa Premiership’s lowest scorers last season with 22 strikes and now have to do without Fortune Makaringe, a driving force in their survival fight. Fortunately for the Team of Choice, they will be up against a Golden Arrows team which only scored 27 league goals last season themselves.

Goalmouth action will likely come at a premium at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium and another stalemate is predicted here. Neither team will want to make a mistake in the KwaZulu-Natal derby.

Prediction: 0-0 Draw

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