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MTN8 Predictions – Semifinals

MTN8 PREDICTIONS - SEMIFINALS

29 August 2019, by: Leonard Solms

MTN8 PREDICTIONS – SEMIFINALS

With reigning champions Cape Town City already out of the MTN8, SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns will each fancy their chances of success.

Matsatsantsa and Masandawana face off in the second Tshwane derby of the season on Sunday at the Lucas Moripe Stadium. The winner over two legs at this venue will surely be favourites for the title.

However, Highlands Park and Polokwane City certainly cannot be written off and they are set to play on Saturday at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Polokwane City expertly dismantled Cape Town City at Newlands in the quarter-finals and are on home soil for the first leg against the Lions of the North.

Highlands Park themselves pulled off a big shock in the last eight, seeing off Orlando Pirates thanks to Wayde Jooste’s winner. They head into the game in good spirits after a 2-1 midweek win over AmaZulu.

One noteworthy subplot is the potential return of Rodney Ramagalela, who is back in training after a spell of compassionate leave following the death of his daughter.

Ramagalela was a crucial striker for Polokwane City prior to being marginalised over his pre-contract agreement with the Lions of the North. If he is hungry to prove a point to his former club, who could blame him?

Winger Lindokuhle Mbatha is also back following his injury against Orlando Pirates. Expect Highlands Park to put up a good fight away from home, but Rise and Shine are backed to grind out a draw.

Prediction: 1-1 Draw

BET: MTN8

In what should be a humdinger of a tie, Kaitano Tembo’s men will look to avenge their 2-0 Absa Premiership loss to Sundowns.

They looked like they had the Brazilians figured out in the opening minutes of that game, but Pitso Mosimane’s team was more clinical on the day.

Matsatsantsa reacted in style, however, beating Orlando Pirates 3-0 in the league and Bidvest Wits by the same scoreline in the MTN8. After a 1-1 Absa Premiership draw with Kaizer Chiefs, they returned to winning ways with a 2-0 midweek victory away to Baroka.

However, Sundowns themselves are in form after beating AS Otôho d’Oyo (4-0 in the CAF Champions League) and Bloemfontein Celtic (2-1 in the Premiership) in their last two games.

Sundowns also beat Celtic 3-1 after coming back from behind to progress to the MTN8 semis, but are likely to face an even tougher fight in this match. Fortunately for Mosimane’s men, their depth and resilience makes them difficult to beat.

Prediction: 1-1 Draw

BET: MTN8

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Leonard Solms is a sports journalist who features regularly on various local and international platforms including ESPN, New Frame, FARPost, Tagged Online and Careers Magazine, as well as this one. He enjoys the occasional bet and the most important tip he can give you is to bet within your means.

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