Polokwane plays host to Saturday’s Nedbank Cup Final which will be contested between Durban City and TS Galaxy
Durban City
Durban City’s cup run started with a penalty shoot out win over Chippa after the game finished without a goal and it was the same story in the next round away to Upington City with Durban holding their nerve from the spot after another 0-0 draw. The quarter finals draw saw Durban matched with Golden Arrows for a local derby, this time we did see goals, one for each side but we still needed a shot out to settle the argument and once again City prevailed. Onto the semi finals and a clash with Casric Stars and an early own goal saw City go through 1-0.
In the Betway Premiership City have taken just 1 point from their last 4 outings but they are still in the top half of the standings with 36 points from 26 matches.
TS Galaxy
Galaxy lifted this trophy in 2019 and their bid to repeat that feat this season started with a 1-0 home win over Marumo Gallants with the goal coming in extra time. In the next round Galaxy were drawn at home to Sundowns and they pulled off a shock of some significance with a 2-0 win. In the quarters Galaxy saw off Jacksa Spears 2-0 and in the semi finals they went the full distance with Milford FC, coming through on spot kicks after a 1-1 draw.
Recent Betway Premiership form doesn’t read well. Galaxy are 11 league games without a win, a disastrous run which has seen Bernard Parker take over from Adnan Beganovic as coach. Galaxy are in twelfth position in the standings with 26 points from the same number of matches which gives them 5 points worth of daylight over second bottom Gallants and they are 6 clear of Orbit College who are rock bottom.
Head to Head
Both of this season’s Betway Premiership meetings went the way of Durban City who were won both matches by a 2-0 scoreline.
The Betting
In the early betting Durban City are even money favourites with a draw at 2/1 and Galaxy can be backed at 11/4.
The Verdict:
Both sides sailed close to the wind on their way to the final although Galaxy’s excellent win over Sundowns stands out like a sore thumb. However since then Galaxy’s form has collapsed and in recent week’s Durban City have also battled to put league points on the board.
We only have a very early betting show to work with so let’s hold fire and return with a play or two nearer to match day.
Bets: to follow.
Note, odds are subject to change