The fight for the Betway Premiership title continues on Saturday when Mamelodi Sundowns host Siwelele and Orlando Pirates travel to take on Magesi FC
Sundowns v Siwelele
Sundowns come into their penultimate league game 3 points clear of Pirates in the title race but they have played 1 game more than the Bucs and Downs have an inferior goal difference (+34 to +41).
After this, due to their CAF Champions League Final against RAF of Morocco later this month, Sundowns will finish their league campaign away to TS Galaxy on Tuesday 12th May.
In midweek Sundowns played out a 1-1 draw at home to Kaizer Chiefs, a result which has arguably handed the advantage to Pirates in the title race. Downs were behind 1-0 at half time but found an equalizer early in the second half. However they were reduced to 10 men on 65 minutes and there was no further scoring. Downs are now 19 games unbeaten in the league and 14 of those games have been won. Their only league defeat this season came away to Golden Arrows back in September.
Siwelele have lost just 1 of their last 14 Betway Premiership matches but only 3 of those were wins and the other 11 all finished all square. Overall they have 7 wins against their name alongside 12 draws and 8 defeats and with 33 points they are ninth place, just 3 points off a top half finish. In their last 2 home games Siwelele upset Chiefs with a 2-0 win and they followed up with a 2-2 draw against Durban City last time out. Siwelele hoisted Sundowns in early December, they led 1-0 at half time but Downs squared things up and it finished 1-1.
The Verdict:
This game will be over before Pirates kick off and Sundowns will be looking to crank up the pressure. Siwelele deserve huge credit for how they have gone about their season and they are hard to beat but in these circumstances I’m happy to take my chances with 3 goals or more in total.
Bets: Total goals over 2.5 at 19/20 with Lucky Fish
Magesi FC v Orlando Pirates
Magesi have 3 rounds of matches remaining to acquire enough points to avoid relegation. They come into the weekend program at the foot of the standings with 21 points but Marumo Gallants (22 points), Orbit Collage (23), Chippa Utd (24) and even TS Galaxy (26) still have plenty to worry about. Last time out Magesi lost a huge game, 2-1 at home to Orbit College. Other recent home games saw them thrash Durban City 5-2 and they crashed to a 4-1 defeat when Kaizer Chiefs came to town. Magesi have met Pirates twice this season, both times in Orlando and they were beaten 2-1 in the Carling Knockout and 2-0 in the Betway Premiership.
Pirates came through their midweek fixture away to Stellenbosch with a 2-0 win with goals either side of half time. Given their superior goal difference the Bucs are in a strong position but to be crowned champions they may well need maximum points from this game, a home fixture against Durban City on the 16th May and a visit to Orbit College on the 23rd May, the final day of the season. Pirates are unbeaten in their last 10 league games, 7 wins and 3 draws.
The Verdict:
Whatever happens in the Sundowns game I’m thinking Pirates will come through this with the win they need, hopefully by scoring 3 goals or more.
Bets: Pirates total goals, over 2.5 at 2.05/1 with Sportingbet
Note, odds are subject to change