DSTV Prem Suggested Bets, Stats and Trends By OptaJabu

PSL football is back. As seen in the MTN8 this past weekend, it is back with its highs and lows. Things you expect to see (Peter Shalulile scoring) were mixed with things you don’t expect to see (Sundowns giving away a 2-goal lead). Add the resignation of Josef Zinnbauer, the sale of Bloemfontein Celtic and you have the makings of a dramatic season premiere. There were no clean sheets on the weekend, and if that is anything to go by, we could be in for more goals come the weekend.

Friday 20 August: Mamelodi Sundowns v AmaZulu

First and Second from last season are in the opener for a second successive season following contrasting fortunes in the MTN8 quarter-finals. AmaZulu will be looking to bounce back as soon as possible. Coach McCarthy knows it takes a few losses for the “Does he know what he is doing?” whispers to turn into murmurs. A loss here would pile on the pressure for a team that are expecting a busy season given their CAF involvement. There is no better way to respond to doubters than winning against the defending champions.

Downs looked sharp in the opening half-hour on the weekend but surrendered a two-goal lead to Chiefs. The last time Sundowns went 2-0 up and failed to win a game was in April 2008 against Al-Hilal Omdurman of Sudan (CAFCL). You have to go back to November 2005 to see that happen in domestic competition. We fancy AmaZulu to find some gaps here, even though Sundowns opening day record has been exceptional. Keep in mind Amazulu had 11 players self-isolating after positive Covid-19 tests.

2007 – The last time Sundowns’ lost on an opening day was in August 2007, also against AmaZulu.

Suggested Bet: Sundowns to win at 1.57

Value Bet: BTTS at 2.40

Saturday 21 August: Cape Town City v Supersport United

Eric Tinkler’s side will be buoyed by their progression into the MTN8 semi-finals on the weekend. Tinkler was still Supersport coach the last and only time Matsatsantsa scored a goal away to City in the league (December 2016). Four subsequent visits since then have yielded one goalless draw, and three losses to nil – all under the tutelage of Kaitano Tembo. Add to that, City are also the joint-best starters in PSL history, with a 60% win rate on opening day (P5 W3 D2 L0) – the same as Chiefs.

1 – Cape Town City are the only PSL side Kaitano Tembo has travelled to and failed to score in the league.

Suggested Bet: Cape Town City to win at 2.55

Value Bet: Cape Town City to win by 1 goal at 4.35

Saturday 21 August: Orlando Pirates v Stellenbosch

The Buccaneers were knocked out of the MTN8 by Swallows FC, a result that was soon followed by the shock resignation of coach Josef Zinnbauer. It was only the second time Pirates had conceded two goals in the first half of a home game under Josef Zinnbauer (also v Wits in February 2020). But to be honest, they shot themselves in the foot. They will be happy Stellenbosch are next – a side who were one goal from dropping down to the promotional playoffs last season. The feeling of a fortress at home may be starting to fade for Pirates given current form, but we expect them to clean up on the errors against the men from the Winelands, Stellies.

The Buccaneers will also be confident based on their opening day form, as they are unbeaten on opening day in each of the last five seasons. It’s the longest they have gone unbeaten on MD1 in their PSL history, winning three and drawing two season openers in the last five campaigns.

4 – Stellies are on a 4-game scoreless run away from home in the league (from the end of last season), their longest such streak since their promotion in 2019.

Suggested Bet: Under 2.5 goals at 1.55

Value Bet: Pirates win and under 2.5 goals at 3.35

Sunday 22 August: TS Galaxy v Kaizer Chiefs

Chiefs and TS Galaxy meet in a repeat of their last game of the 2020/21 PSL season. In the six seasons since Stuart Baxter was last at the club, Chiefs only won one game on MD1 (3-2 v Highlands Park in August 2019) – drawing three and losing the other three. Having said that, Chiefs boast the best opening day winning ratio among PSL top-flight teams that have featured in more than one season (P25 W15 D6 L4, 60%), a record they share with Cape Town City (P5 W3 D2, also 60%).

100% – Stuart Baxter has won three of his three season openers at the club, the only Chiefs coach with a 100% on Matchday 1 in the PSL era.

Suggested Bet: Under 2.5 goals at 1.90

Value Bet: Chiefs to win at 2.35