PSL Betting Guide: Weekend Action

Matchday 4 of the PSL top-flight season takes place this weekend, ahead of a four-week break that includes an international program and Carling Cup football. (It’s Matchday 4 as some teams have played only three games). Goals have been flowing somewhat freely so far this season, with all but one team finding the net at least once. Of the eight games played during the week, half yielded over 2.5 goals, while only one saw under 0.5 goals (Royal AM 0-0 Richards Bay). If this weekend follows the same pattern, there could be some good value bets when it comes to goals. Let’s explore the upcoming games.

Kaizer Chiefs v Sundowns

The game of the weekend, laden with all sorts of narratives following impressive starts by both sides in the league. If the last few meetings between these teams are anything to go by, we could be in for a goal fest. Three of the last four games have seen over 2.5, over 3.5, and, most recently, over 5.5 goals. Considering Sundowns have been dismantling defenses wherever they’ve played recently (14 goals in 4 games), over 2.5 goals at 2.4/1 looks like a bargain. The defending champions are favored to take the points (1.7/1), but there’s something exciting about this Chiefs side under their new coach, Nasreddine Nabi. Plus, history is on their side.

21 – Mamelodi Sundowns have lost more league matches against Kaizer Chiefs than any other opponent in the PSL era (21).

Cape Town City v SuperSport

Two struggling teams face off in Saturday’s late kick-off, so this may not be the game to expect much from. When erratic teams meet, the expectation is often a rush of goals due to porous defenses, but usually, they cancel each other out and serve up a dull affair. Plus, Hunt vs. Tinkler is more often than not a pragmatic encounter. In the last eight league meetings, going back five years, only nine goals have been scored between these two coaches—an average of just 1.13 goals per game. That under 1.5 goals market at 2.5/1 looks tempting (though still risky). That said, Hunt tends to have the upper hand.

1 – Gavin Hunt has lost just one of the last eight games against Eric Tinkler (P8 W5 D2 L1).

Richards Bay v Orlando Pirates

The Buccaneers are on a roll, having celebrated their 150th goal under José Riveiro this past week. He’s just the second Pirates coach (after Ruud Krol) to reach the milestone, but Riveiro did so 26 games faster than the Dutchman (93 compared to Krol’s 119). Despite their attacking prowess, Pirates have consistently struggled to break down Richards Bay. Last season saw results of 0-1, 0-0, and 0-0, with Pirates failing to score in all three meetings, including cup games. This will be the sixth meeting between the sides across all competitions, and a pattern is emerging.

4 – Pirates have failed to score four times against Richards Bay. Only against Sundowns (5 times) have they blanked more under Riveiro.