19 August 2019, by: Leonard Solms
PSL PREDICTIONS – MATCHDAY 3
After a weekend off due to MTN8 action, the Absa Premiership resumes this week. Orlando Pirates coach Rhulani Mokwena gets his first taste of league action since taking over from Milutin Sredojević while Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs face tricky tests.
Masandawana returned to winning ways on Saturday with a 3-1 MTN8 triumph over Bloemfontein Celtic. It wasn’t all plain sailing for Masandawana, though, as they had to come back from 1-0 down.
Cape Town City were outsmarted by Polokwane City in their 2-0 MTN8 loss, but Benni McCarthy’s men remain capable of some fantastic free-flowing football.
Arguably the two most attack-minded teams in the Absa Premiership square off at the Lucas Moripe Stadium. Both of their league battles last season saw plenty of goals, with one win apiece for the two sides. This time, a draw is expected.
Prediction: 2-2 Draw
The King Zwelithini Stadium is the scene for Rhulani Mokwena’s first league game as head coach of Orlando Pirates.
This follows the abrupt departure of Milutin Sredojević, which further destabilised a team smarting from a 3-0 loss to SuperSport United.
A 1-0 MTN8 defeat to Highlands Park followed, but we should not forget the sheer quality in the Orlando Pirates squad. Two bad results haven’t changed that.
AmaZulu are in woeful form themselves following defeats to Bidvest Wits and Polokwane City. Another loss is likely on the cards for Cavin Johnson’s charges.
Prediction: Orlando Pirates Win 1-0
Lidoda Duvha and the Lions of the North both recruited wisely in the off-season. We haven’t yet seen that bear fruit in the Absa Premiership, but Highlands Park picked up a major scalp in the MTN8, beating Orlando Pirates thanks to Wayde Jooste’s winner.
Black Leopards have home ground advantage for this match, though, and the Thohoyandou faithful always make their turf a difficult place to visit. A first point of the season is tipped for the Limpopo side.
Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Abafana Bes’thende need to regain their confidence after a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Bloemfontein Celtic. They are back at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium, where they beat Maritzburg United 1-0 in their Absa Premiership opener.
Visitors Chippa United are unlikely to roll over, however. Their season has started reasonably well with home draws against Stellenbosch and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Nevertheless, home advantage and motivation for a backlash should see Steve Komphela’s men to the win.
Prediction: Golden Arrows Win 1-0
Amakhosi are off to a perfect start to the season, having picked up wins over Highlands Park and Black Leopards. However, their toughest test yet awaits as they host in-form SuperSport United at FNB Stadium.
Matsatsantsa lost their opening match of the season 2-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns, but responded in style. Kaitano Tembo’s men hammered Orlando Pirates 3-0 in the league and then Bidvest Wits by the same score in the MTN8.
These teams met five times last season with two Kaizer Chiefs wins, two draws and one SuperSport United victory. As was the case in their last encounter, the spoils are expected to be shared this time.
Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Two of the early surprise packages go head to head at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. Baroka head into this match off the back of a 1-0 win over Bidvest Wits while Celtic’s last league match was the 5-0 drubbing of Golden Arrows.
If what we have seen from these teams so far this season is anything to go by, we can expect plenty of goals. Baroka drew 2-2 to Cape Town City in their last home match while Bloem Celtic have seen 13 goals in three matches across the Premiership and MTN8.
Bakgaga and Phunya Sele Sele are tipped to come out even in a four-goal thriller.
Prediction: 2-2 Draw
Stellies have had a tough start to life in the Absa Premiership with a 0-0 draw to Chippa United and a 1-0 derby defeat to Cape Town City. However, Steve Barker’s men showed promise against City and they have an ideal opportunity to convert that into goals and points now.
Their visitors at Athlone Stadium will be Maritzburg United, who recently lost key men Siphesihle Ndlovu and Fortune Makaringe to Orlando Pirates. Their start to the season has also been far from ideal with a 1-0 loss to Golden Arrows and a 1-1 draw with Highlands Park.
Boosted by the recent signing of former Kaizer Chiefs striker Ryan Moon, Stellies should have the upper hand on home soil.
Prediction: Stellenbosch Win 1-0
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Leonard Solms is a sports journalist who features regularly on various local and international platforms including ESPN, New Frame, FARPost, Tagged Online and Careers Magazine, as well as this one. He enjoys the occasional bet and the most important tip he can give you is to bet within your means.
