There are 2 DSTV Premiership matches taking place on Thursday and we take a look at both of them from a betting angle.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS V MARUMO GALLANTS
Mamelodi Sundowns remain top of the table on 43 points, 16 points clear of their nearest rivals, Orlando Pirates, that despite their first loss of the season when they went down 1-0 away at AmaZulu on the weekend. They are still unbeaten at home in 10 starts with 9 victories and a draw and they have won their last 4 successive home games.
Digging into their goal stats, Mamelodi Sundowns home matches have averaged 2.9 goals each, the highest in the Division with 60% of the matches delivering profits for over 2.5 goal backers.
Marumo Gallants have been falling down the table and are currently in 11th position with just 1 point from the last 3 matches they have played. Last time out they were beaten 2-1 away by Orlando Pirates and their last home game was a 1-0 defeat to AmaZulu. They have won 3 and drawn 1 of 9 away matches and a recent defeat to Pirates broke a run of 3 successive away victories.
Gallants away matches have seen a total of 16 goals in 9 games at an average of 1.8 goals each and only 3 of the 9 matches have reached the 3 goal mark.
Sundowns had few problems in seeing off Gallants 4-0 away earlier in the season.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Mamelodi Sundowns 7/20
Draw 37/10
Marumo Gallants 33/4
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Sundowns (-1) at 23/20
I am expecting some form of backlash from Sundowns after their first defeat and they look far too strong for a Gallants side that is in free fall. For this bet to arrive we need them to win by more than a goal.
ORLANDO PIRATES v AMAZULU
Orlando Pirates are 2nd on the table level on points with AmaZulu, but having played a game less. Pirates last game was a 2-1 home win over Marumo Gallants and prior to that they had lost 4-1 on the road to Mamelodi Sundowns. Pirates have won 4, drawn 3 and lost 1 of their 8 home matches this season and looking at their goal stats when played at home, 3 of the 8 Pirates matches have delivered profits for over 2.5 goal punters.
AmaZulu are undefeated in their last 10 games, 7 of which were draws. They have won their last 2 games by 1-0 margins away at Marumo Gallants and at home to Mamelodi Sundowns and they started the Sundowns game at odds of 7/2. They have drawn 5 of their 9 away matches this season winning 2 and losing 2 and only 2 of their 9 away games have reached the 3 goal mark.
These sides played to a 1-1 draw at AmaZulu earlier in the season.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Orlando Pirates 4/10
Draw 33/10
AmaZulu 31/4
Suggested Bet: Handicap, AmaZulu (+1) at 19/10
For this bet to land we need AmaZulu to avoid defeat in the match and I am placing this bet purely on price. AmaZulu have lost their last 3 matches away at Pirates, but based on current form I am battling to understand why they have such a big price given they are coming off a win over previously unbeaten Sundowns.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
