PSL Betting Guide: Carling Knockout

Domestic football returns this weekend with the Carling Knockout Cup kicking off on Friday night. A full roster of eight fixtures is scheduled across the weekend as teams battle it out for the second trophy of the season, but the first involving all 16 top-flight sides. Stellenbosch will be looking to defend the trophy they won last season, even though history is against them—only one club in League Cup history has ever successfully defended the crown (Kaizer Chiefs, who have done so five times). Our Betting Guide provides some background and context for the upcoming action.

40 – The 2024 Carling Knockout Cup is the 40th edition of the South African League Cup (since 1982).

Orlando Pirates v Magesi

The current South African Cup kings are considered one of the tournament’s favorites. José Riveiro’s side has mastered the Cup-winning formula and are the reigning MTN8 (three-time) and Nedbank Cup (two-time) champions. However, the Carling Knockout Cup is the one domestic trophy that has eluded the Spaniard, which will serve as motivation to secure a win this weekend. Pirates’ form provides further motivation, as they are on a seven-game winning streak across competitions. No Pirates coach has ever won eight in a row in the PSL era, and what better opportunity to do so than against a newly promoted side?

3 – Pirates are facing a newly promoted side in the first round of this competition for the third consecutive edition (2019 vs Stellenbosch and 2023 vs Cape Town Spurs).

Bet Tip: You can bet on a Pirates win

Bet Tip: You can bet on Over 3.5 goals

Sundowns v Golden Arrows

Sundowns may be dominant in the league, but they have often struggled in domestic cups played before Christmas. Two Top 8 titles and three League Cups are rather underwhelming returns for a club with a history of PSL-era success. Perhaps this will provide the motivation they need. A favorable home fixture against Golden Arrows (at least on paper) is what the draw handed the Brazilians, who have quietly built momentum with a five-game winning run, scoring 16 goals and conceding just two. A sixth straight win would tempt even the most conservative punters, considering it has been five years since Arrows last won a game against Sundowns (P12 W7 D5 L0 since November 2019). The record is even worse in Cup competitions.

1 – Golden Arrows have won just one of 10 games against Sundowns in PSL-era Cup competitions, drawing one and losing the other eight.

Bet Tip: You can bet on a Sundowns win

Bet Tip: You can bet on Over 2.5 goals

SuperSport v Kaizer Chiefs

The headline match of the weekend sees Gavin Hunt welcome his former side, with his SuperSport team struggling for form and goals. One win in five games is coupled with just two goals in nearly 500 minutes of action. Meanwhile, Chiefs are seeking their first piece of silverware under new coach Nasreddine Nabi. The Tunisian has started solidly, though not spectacularly, having narrowly lost to Sundowns in their last league game. Nabi’s dossier will show that Chiefs and SuperSport have faced off frequently in Cup competitions, with Chiefs dominating mostly in the 1990s. However, Matsatsantsa have reversed the trend in the last 10 years, losing just once to Amakhosi in five Cup meetings (P5 W2 D2 L1).

4 – Chiefs are meeting SuperSport in the League Cup for the fifth time, with each of the last three meetings between the sides ending 1-0.

Bet Tip: You can bet on a SuperSport win or draw

Bet Tip: You can bet on Under 2.5 goals