25 November 2019, by: Leonard Solms

PSL Predictions – Matchday 12

The PSL returns in midweek with all 16 teams in action on Tuesday and Wednesday evening. This means bettors are spoiled for choice with plenty of chances to win big.

By and large, the teams challenging for the title have winnable games on paper ahead of them, but not all upcoming fixtures are as straightforward as they may seem.

Highlands Park’s form has been mixed of late, but they still sit sixth on the table. Bidvest Wits are only one place ahead of them, but have played four fewer games.

The Lions of the North are a difficult side to play at Makhulong Stadium, but the Clever Boys have won all three away league games this season.

Wits are entering a tricky stage of the season, playing catch-up in terms of fixtures as the league table begins to take shape. A draw would be a good result in Tembisa for Gavin Hunt’s men and that is what they are predicted to come away with.

Two sides in desperate need of a win do battle as Orlando Pirates host Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium.

The Buccaneers had plenty to think about over the international break after a double Soweto derby defeat to Kaizer Chiefs.

Despite links to Cavin Johnson, Polokwane City have yet to appoint a new head coach at the time of writing. They, like Pirates, have struggled defensively this season.

Goals are expected at both ends at Orlando Stadium. However, with players such as the in-form Gabadinho Mhango at their disposal, Pirates are tipped to claim a vital victory.

Mamelodi Sundowns faced disappointment in their last league fixture, going down 3-2 to Golden Arrows. Pitso Mosimane’s men claimed revenge with a 2-1 Telkom Knockout win and will now be looking to down another Durban outfit.

AmaZulu will be hungry for revenge after a 5-0 Telkom Knockout first-round defeat to Masandawana. However, that will be easier said than done at Loftus Versfeld.

What may work in Usuthu’s favour is that Sundowns have CAF Champions League commitments looming, but they are unlikely to take this fixture lightly as they look to keep pace with Kaizer Chiefs in the league title race.

Sundowns are predicted to clinch a narrow victory, but it will likely not come easy.

Cape Town Stadium plays host to a Premiership clash between Stellenbosch and a Kaizer Chiefs side smarting after a Telkom Knockout semi-final defeat to Maritzburg United.

Amakhosi are tipped to come out all guns blazing in search of the win. They have a good record in Cape Town this season, having beaten Cape Town City in the league and Telkom Knockout.

Ernst Middendorp’s men are predicted to silence their critics once more with a hard-fought win over Steve Barker’s Premiership new boys.

Baroka host Golden Arrows at the Peter Mokaba Stadium looking to capitalise on impressive results in their last two games.

After a 0-0 draw with champions Mamelodi Sundowns, Bakgaga beat rivals Polokwane City 1-0. However, Golden Arrows themselves have been playing impressive football under Steve Komphela.

A 3-2 win over Sundowns in their last league fixture ensured that Arrows went into the international break fourth on the Premier Division table.

They may have lost to Masandawana in the Telkom Knockout, but that does not change the fact that they are a formidable side this season.

Baroka, meanwhile, have been inconsistent. Arrows are thus tipped to emerge with a victory by the finest of margins.

Bloemfontein Celtic and Cape Town City go head-to-head at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in a clash between two sides with a propensity for seeing many goals in their matches.

City have the worst defensive record in this season’s Premiership to date with 20 goals conceded, although they also have the joint best attacking record with 19 scored.

Bloem Celtic have seen a combined total of 26 goals for and against in their 10 league games this season — the fifth highest in the division.

Such is the nature of the top flight in South Africa that only two points separate these sides although Phunya Sele Sele are six places above the Citizens heading into the matchweek. A high-scoring draw is the most likely outcome.

Chippa United picked up their first win of the Premier Division season against AmaZulu in their last game, but they need to kick on against fellow relegation strugglers Black Leopards at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Lidoda Duvha bought themselves some breathing space with a 2-2 draw against SuperSport United and a 2-1 win over Cape Town City. Even so, they need to keep their momentum going under Luc Eymael.

These two teams are relatively evenly-matched and a low-scoring draw is the likely outcome.

Maritzburg United can extend their unbeaten run to nine matches against SuperSport United at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Wednesday.

Eric Tinkler’s men laid down a statement of intent by knocking Kaizer Chiefs out of the Telkom Knockout semi-finals thanks to a Judas Moseamedi brace. Being on home soil will suit them, but they will be up against a dangerous outfit.

MTN8 champions SuperSport United will be up against their former boss. Current coach Kaitano Tembo, who used to serve as Tinkler’s assistant, can be forgiven if he feels he has a point to prove.

A draw is tipped for this league clash of cup titans. SuperSport United will probably come away the more disappointed of the two teams.

MORE SOCCER