PSL Multi and Value Bets by OptaJabu

Orlando Pirates v Mamelodi Sundowns headline a weekend where Cape Town City and Kaizer Chiefs are out for vengeance after big losses last week, this sets up another fascinating weekend in the DSTV Premiership.

OptaJabu combs through the numbers and we come up with the best bets for your multis and bet slips as well as providing value bets.

15:00 – Swallows FC v Cape Town City

The two sides must be tired of facing each other, having been drawn to face off over 180 minutes in this season’s MTN8 semi-finals. The first leg ended 0-0, and the second is next week, but sandwiched between those two legs is Friday’s league clash. Between them, they have failed to score in three games since that goalless draw and could serve up another stodgy match on Friday night. Both sides were blown away 3-0 by Supersport and Stellies respectively this past weekend, and the psychological advantage ahead of the second semi-final is up for grabs here.

0 – City are yet to open the scoring in a league match under Eric Tinkler in his second spell.

Suggested Bet: Under 2.5

Value Bet: Under 1.5 or Draw and under 3.5 goals

15:00 – Orlando Pirates v Mamelodi Sundowns

The big match of the weekend sees Pirates host Sundowns on Saturday afternoon. After an iffy start, Pirates have won two on the trot in the league (something that happened only twice last season). If there is a win that could put wind into their sails, this is it – a home game against the champions. Then again, they’re welcoming a team that has conceded one goal in 12 league games (including a club record run of seven successive clean sheets).

21 – Orlando Pirates have lost more league matches against Sundowns than against any other opponent in PSL history(21).

But if calendars mean anything to you, this will be Pirates’ 35th league match played at home in the 21st century. They’ve lost just one of the previous 34 (W18 D15).

Suggested Bet: Under 2.5

Value Bet: Sundowns to win to nil

15:00 – AmaZulu v Baroka FC

Following a barnstorming run at the beginning of the year that won him, Coach of the Season, Benni McCarthy’s AmaZulu seem to have lost their way a bit in recent months. The win over Bullets in Malawi was a confidence booster (the first team to win there in over 100 games & 8 years), but they needed a late penalty midweek against Arrows to secure a draw.

12.5% – Benni has won just one of 8 previous games against Baroka (12,5% win rate). Only against Arrows (11%) does he have a lower win rate.

Given that they won here a few months ago, there could be something for Baroka again.

Suggested Bet: Under 3.5

Value Bet: Draw

15:00 – Supersport United v Maritzburg United

Supersport claimed a precious first away win in 14 games last weekend and won’t fear a visit by Maritzburg United. They’ve lost just one of their last 15 games against The Team of Choice. Yet, Middendorp’s army continued their mini recovery with another 1-0 win, this time against Marumo Gallants.

3 – Maritzburg are yet to string together three wins in a row under Middendorp in his latest spell.

Suggested Bet: Supersport win/draw

Suggested Bet: Supersport to win

17:00 – Marumo Gallants v Kaizer Chiefs

The idea that three games into the PSL season, Marumo Gallants against Kaizer Chiefs would be a relegation six-pointer may have sounded preposterous a month or two ago. Yet, here we are – this is a huge game for both sides, seeing that both haven’t started well. Although both sides have had major changes, especially staff, Chiefs not starting well raises an eye more than their hosts, who are the only side yet to find the net this season.

7 – Chiefs have conceded more goals than any other side this season (7), which is also the most the club have let in at this stage of a season.

For this reason we expect Gallants to finally find some luck here. That said they are the bottom side and Chiefs are averaging more than 10 shots a game this season. Chiefs have both outshot their opponents and created higher xG in each league game they’ve played this season – a possible indicator that they may have just been unlucky at times.

Suggested Bet: Under 2.5 

Value Bet: Kaizer Chiefs to win