The PSL reaches the halfway mark this weekend, with a full round of matches scheduled across Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We’ve picked half of those and tried to dissect them, with a betting guide that may be worth your time.
AmaZulu (12th) v Kaizer Chiefs (4th)
Things were starting to look better for Arthur Zwane with just one loss in nine games before last week. But the home defeat to Sekhukhune would have knocked the wind out of their sails a bit. They attempted 20 shots in that game, but couldn’t find a way, edging their opponent by 1.5 – 0.5xG. The bookies see this one as close (2.5/1 for the away win, 3/1 for the home win), and that may have to do with the head-to-head history. Usuthu have a satisfactory recent record against Amakhosi, having lost one of the last six. Still, we fancy Chiefs to get something here, not just because of the expected crowd, but given their away form:
4 – Chiefs have won four away games in a row (the joint-best run by any team this season), and their best such run since November 2019 (a run of six under Ernst Middendorp).
You can bet on a Chiefs win/ draw
You can bet on Under 2.5 goals
Orlando Pirates (8th) v Golden Arrows (6th)
If there’s ever a ‘good time’ to play Orlando Pirates then this is probably it. Three consecutive losses (the first time this has happened in five years) has seen them slide down the table to 8th. Oddly, the two teams have an exact similar record at the half-way stage – P15 W5 D4 L6, and it’s not out of order to suggest that Arrows will be happier with that. Pirates used to be a tough nut to crack at home, but even that ever-shining record is looking dim at the moment. They’re still heavily favoured for the win (the best odds for a home win this weekend), despite six of the last nine matches between the sides ending goalless (only two of those saw Over 1.5 goals).
3 – Pirates are on a three-game losing streak. Only once before in PSL history have they gone on a worse run (4 games in 2008).
You can bet on Pirates win/ draw
You can bet on Under 2.5 goals
Chippa United (9th) v Cape Town City (7th)
Chippa United have failed to score in just one of their nine matches since Morgan Mammila took charge. On the other hand, they are also leaking goals (no clean sheet in five, and Over 1.5 conceded in four of those) and look vulnerable at the back. City, meanwhile, are consistent in their inconsistency – LWLWLW in their last six games. Another ‘Loss’ is due if they follow the pattern, but that’s not really how things work. They have the better form, but their away record has been horrendous this season, with just four points on the road so far – the joint fewest of all sides.
7 – City have conceded at least once in each of their last seven games, their joint-worst run of conceding under Tinkler (7 also in 2016).
You can bet on a City Win/ draw
You can bet on both teams to score
Mamelodi Sundowns (1st) v SuperSport United (2nd)
The teams around them are hoping Sundowns start to falter but the Brazilians have been relentless in the last few months. That said, SuperSport were the last team to win against the champions before they went on their merry run of 10 straight wins. Gavin Hunt may have more tricks up his sleeve to solve a conundrum that has puzzled almost all others – how to beat, let alone avoid defeat against, Sundowns. Yet, the last time SuperSport completed the double over Sundowns was in 2001/2. This remains the highest scoring fixture in the history of the PSL, with 130 goals scored in the 53 top-flight meetings between the sides.
10 – Sundowns have won 10 consecutive league games, one short of the PSL record (11 by Sundowns in 2007).
You can bet on a Sundowns win/ draw