The local football season gets going this weekend with the MTN8 quarter-finals and we take a look at all 4 games and suggest a bet in each.
SATURDAY
GOLDEN ARROWS v SUPERSPORT UNITED
Arrows finished 4th on the log last season, but only won 1 of their last 5 matches. SuperSport United were just behind them on the table in 5th spot, 2 points back and they managed to win 2 of their last 5 games.
Arrows did the double over SuperSport in the League last season winning 1-0 at SuperSport and 3-1 at home.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Golden Arrows 31/20
Draw 22/10
SuperSport United 37/20
Suggested Bet: The draw at 22/10
The betting suggests this will be a close game and I am expecting it to be a typical South African Cup encounter with very little to separate the sides.
ORLANDO PIRATES v SWALLOWS
Pirates finished 3rd on the log last season and despite only losing 2 matches in their return to the top flight, Swallows finished in 6th thanks to an incredible 20 draws in their 30 games.
It is no surprise that both fixtures between the sides finished 1-1 in the PSL.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Pirates 17/20
Draw 12/5
Swallows 7/2
Suggested Bet: Pirates win at 17/20
I am certainly tempted by the draw here at a price of 12/5, but I like the look of the Pirates squad this season and reckon they can grab the win in regulation time.
SUNDAY
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS v KAIZER CHIEFS
What a massive clash to kick off the season with Mamelodi Sundowns, who ran away with the PSL Title last season, up against Kaizer Chiefs who only just secured their Top 8 finish with back-to-back victories to end the season.
Interestingly it was the away team that came up trumps in the League with Chiefs winning at Sundowns, but Sundowns getting a comfortable 3-0 win at Chiefs and the last 4 matches between these sides has been won by the away team.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Sundowns 11/10
Draw 22/10
Chiefs 26/10
Suggested Bet: Chiefs win at 26/10
I am going to go with history here and the away team to win at what looks a tasty price about a squad that I think is set to challenge for major honours again this season.
AMAZULU v CAPE TOWN CITY
AmaZulu were the surprise of last season finishing runners-up to Mamelodi Sundowns. They did stumble a bit towards the end of the season only winning 2 of their last 5 games, but still finished 4 points ahead of 3rd placed, Orlando Pirates.
Cape Town City looked good early in the season and played in some high scoring fixtures, but ended up finishing down in 7th spot with a very inconsistent end to their season.
AmaZulu beat Cape Town City 5-1 on the road last season, but they drew 1-1 at AmaZulu and the stat that jumps out about the last 4 head-to-heads is that both teams have found the back of the net on each occasion.
BETTING – Click here to bet
AmaZulu 21/20
Draw 22/10
Cape Town City 3/1
Suggested Bet: Both teams to score, YES, at PRICE TO FOLLOW
These sides tend to bring out the best in each other and I think we will see goals at both ends.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
