PSL Multi and Value Bets by OptaJabu

Big weekend in the DSTV Premiership with all of the top teams in action but the matchday is obviously headlined by the Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chief and Orlando Pirates.

DSTV Premiership is back, 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.

Friday – Supersport United v TS Galaxy

Supersport have lost their way a bit since starting the season with an eight-game unbeaten run. Successive defeats first to Chiefs and then in injury time to Royal AM have left Tembo asking questions, mostly about his defence. He rightly lambasted Luke Fleurs red card as a ‘stupid thing to do’, and even Fleurs will admit that was not smart. A team that had conceded just four goals in ten regulation games prior has suddenly shipped four in the space of 180 minutes. Their visitors are in a confident mood following their first win of the season but have struggled away from home since May.

0 – TS Galaxy have not won just one of their last 11 away games, and failed to score in five of the last six on the road.

Suggested Bet: Supersport win

Value Bet: Under 2.5

Saturday – Kaizer Chiefs v Orlando Pirates

The 101st Soweto derby takes centre stage this weekend, with the spotlight firmly set on Stuart Baxter ahead of his milestone 100th league match at the club. What was supposed to be a celebratory atmosphere will likely be a tense and high pressure occasion, with Chiefs going into this on the back of a defeat to Stellenbosch. 

The revolution expected in Baxter’s second coming is turning out to be a slow burner with just 12 points won in nine games. That said, Baxter will be first to remind you that Chiefs had seven points at the same stage last season. The derby itself has often been accused of being a low scoring & boring affair, and when you look at the history, that charge sticks.

24 – The Chiefs-Pirates fixture has been drawn 24 times, more than any other fixture in the PSl era.

Looking at the defences (both teams are in the bottom half of the clean sheets table, with 3 each) may whet the appetite for goals, but Pirates top scorer has two goals (12 games played, all comps), Chiefs top scorer has three (10 games played, all comps).

Suggested Bet: Under 2.5

Value Bet: Draw

Saturday – Stellenbosch v Golden Arrows

The surprise team of the season are Stellenbosch FC, who alongside Sundowns remain unbeaten so far in the league. They are causing a real stir in the campaign, and recently matched their win total from last season (5 wins) with less than 10 games played. Their visitors drew 0-0 in their last game, which was uncharacteristic in that they kept a first clean sheet of the season. It was a huge comedown from the Over 6.5 goals delivered in their previous match with Cape Town City. Arrows are particularly expressive away from home – five of Arrows’ last six away league games have seen Over 3.5 goals, which could come in handy as they return to Cape Town. But that expression also comes at a cost – they’ve conceded more goals away than any other side (10). Meanwhile, Stellenboch are the only team to find the net in every game this season.

15 – Stellies could become only the 15th side in PSL history to score in each of their opening 10 games of a new season, and the first since Kaizer Chiefs in 2014/15.

Suggested Bet: Stellies win/draw

Value Bet: Over 2.5

Sunday – Marumo Gallants v Mamelodi Sundowns

It’s top versus bottom on Sunday afternoon. Marumo Gallants have had a really poor season so far, while Sundowns have started in ominous form. They won the MTN8 then broke the clean sheet record in the last week, and with Chiefs, Pirates and Supersport taking turns to stumble, one wonders who will be able to stop Sundowns.

Look, we’ll be placing a cheeky punt on Gallants finally breaking the duck, but that is more out of hoping Sundowns start to relax than expecting Gallants to be mesmerising.

Indeed, Downs are on course to set (yet) another PSL record this weekend.

21 – Sundowns can set a new PSL record for successive away matches without a loss (22). They are currently on 21, which equals the longest such run in PSL top-flight history, set by Kaizer Chiefs between January and December 2005.

Suggested Bet: Sundowns to win

Value Bet: Sundowns to win to nil

Sunday – AmaZulu v Cape Town City

Rounding up the weekend before the international break is AmaZulu v Cape Town City. Images of Benni McCarthy celebrating City’s equaliser in the MTN8 final have been doing the rounds, but he’ll have to forget whatever allegiances come Sunday.

Despite the Cup final defeat, City are starting to hit some form in the league – winning back-to-back league matches under Tinkler for the first time. AmaZulu meanwhile, have won just one in six in all competitions.

0 – City have never won an away match at AmaZulu in the league, drawing one and losing the other three league matches since 2018.

Suggested Bet: Under 2.5

Value Bet: Draw