Pirates v Chiefs – Soweto Derby Betting Guide by OptaJabu

The 49th Pirates-Chiefs Soweto derby in the PSL era takes place this weekend when the two stuttering giants meet in a league encounter.

Pirates opened the scoring in their midweek game against TS Galaxy with the earliest goal they have scored all season (11 minutes). Once again, they could not build on their advantage, conceding less than ten minutes later, as the game ended 1-1. On the other hand, Chiefs needed to dig deep and find an equaliser against Baroka, as their game also ended 1-1. This was Chiefs’ 2nd successive draw – they have not drawn three league matches in a row since August 2018, under Giovanni Solinas.

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The two sides have already met this season. After being drawn to face each other in the MTN semi-finals, Zinnbauer’s men were relentless, running out 5-0 winners on aggregate over two legs. Chiefs’ 5-0 aggregate defeat was the joint-biggest margin of defeat in a two-legged semi in the history of the #MTN8 competition. Yet, the league history is polar opposite.

But that was then. Since winning the MTN8 trophy, Pirates seem to have stagnated. They have won as many points as Chiefs since the Cup final victory (12), but Chiefs have actually scored more goals than Pirates in the same time period. Chiefs, themselves, are on a 5-game unbeaten run in the league, their longest such run since they went 9-unbeaten in October-December 2019. Only one team has beaten Zinnbauer in a home match since he arrived on our shores.

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It’s the inconsistency that has hampered Pirates the most. Orlando Pirates have won successive #DSTVPrem games only once this season (v Celtic & Supersport in November). Their home form has often been their saving grace, but even that has suffered of late, and Pirates are on a run of three successive draws at home. They have never drawn 4 in a row at home.

There have been goals in this fixture of late, with none of the last five being goalless. If you add Cup games into the mix, then it’s been 9 successive games with over 1.5 goals, and only one with under 1.5 goals. You have to go back as far as October 2018 to see a goalless draw between the sides.

Match Facts

1 – Pirates have lost just one of their last 35 home games in the league, but that sole defeat came at the hands of Chiefs.

2 – At home, Pirates have scored Over 1.5 open-play goals (excl. penalties) in only three of their 16 home matches under Josef Zinnbauer.

2 – Pirates have lost the last two Soweto derbies. None of the sides has ever won 3 league derbies in a row.

24 – The Pirates-Chiefs leagues fixture has ended in a draw on 24 occasions in the PSL era, more than any other fixture.

Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at 1.50

Value Bet: Draw at 2.90