06 January 2019, by: Leonard Solms

PSL Predictions – Matchday 17

PSL fans barely have time to digest the weekend’s action before being hit by eight mouthwatering midweek fixtures. The pick of the bunch is a potentially crucial face-off between Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits.

We offer you tips and key information ahead of the big games.

Both Sundowns and Wits started 2020 with convincing away wins. Pitso Mosimane’s men downed AmaZulu 3-0 while Gavin Hunt’s charges saw off Stellenbosch 2-0.

The two teams do battle at Loftus Versfeld now and will both be looking to end a run of three consecutive 1-1 draws between the teams.

Should that result be repeated, Kaizer Chiefs will benefit. However, Sundowns are in tremendous form and have home advantage in their favour.

Stellenbosch are on home soil at Cape Town Stadium again as they look to recover from their loss to Bidvest Wits.

Their next opponents are the unpredictable Bloemfontein Celtic, who held Orlando Pirates to a 1-1 draw in their last fixture, but can be vulnerable at the back.

Phunya Sele Sele beat Stellies 2-1 at home and another tight contest is expected. The spoils are tipped to be shared this time.

Polokwane City ended a 10-match losing streak in all competitions by beating Chippa United 2-0. New coach Clinton Larsen now turns his attention to his former team as a player, Orlando Pirates, at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Pirates have shown signs of improvement lately with four games in a row unbeaten. They now need to sort out their dreadful form on the road, where they have picked up just one league win all season.

Due to their away woes, Pirates are tipped to draw this fixture against the resurgent Rise and Shine.

SuperSport United heroically downed Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 at Mbombela Stadium, but now face a tough test against another team that has beaten Amakhosi in 2019-20. Eric Tinkler takes Maritzburg United to visit his old side at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

The Team of Choice are in formidable form and beat Golden Arrows 2-1 on Friday, but Matsatsantsa should simply be too strong for them.

Much may depend on the form of deadly strike duo Bradley Grobler and Thamsanqa Gabuza, who is likely to start in place of Evans Rusike after his goal against Chiefs.

Black Leopards are still searching for their first win under Cavin Johnson. His first home game at Thohoyandou Stadium against Chippa United presents him with a wonderful opportunity to get up and running.

Chippa enjoyed a resurgence in the late stages of 2019 under Norman Mapeza, but they started 2020 off on a low with a 2-0 loss to Polokwane City. Black Leopards may have lost 2-1 to Highlands Park, but they are a more threatening prospect in front of their home fans.

Golden Arrows and Baroka each desperately need to recover from dismal runs of form. This adds spice to their encounter at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.

Baroka sits bottom of the table after five games without a win. They are under new leadership in Dylan Kerr but have yet to find their feet under the former Black Leopards coach.

Golden Arrows led 1-0 until late against Maritzburg United but allowed the game to slip from their grasp. Abafana Bes’thende suffered a fourth defeat on the trot as a result.

Prior to this, they were among the Premiership’s frontrunners this season. Steve Komphela is a smart coach and it is surely a matter of time before Golden Arrows rediscover their Midas’ touch.

League leaders Kaizer Chiefs can return to winning ways at home to Highlands Park, but this Gauteng derby is unlikely to be an easy ride.

The Lions of the North appeared to be losing form, but have now won two fixtures in a row. However, Kaizer Chiefs have been the best team in the league this season and were perhaps unlucky not to score more goals in the loss to SuperSport United.

On most occasions, Amakhosi are brilliant at grinding out results. This is what they are expected to do against Owen da Gama’s dangerous side at FNB Stadium.

Cape Town City host AmaZulu at Cape Town Stadium looking to keep their newfound winning touch. Jan Olde Riekerink’s men saw off Baroka 1-0 to claim their first victory in six games.

AmaZulu’s form took a turn for the better towards the end of last year, but they were humbled 3-0 by Mamelodi Sundowns in Durban. Jozef Vukušič’s team needs a revival to avoid slipping back into the relegation zone.

Home advantage will likely suit the men from the Mother City well, and with momentum behind them, Olde Riekerink’s charges will be difficult to stop.

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