11 February 2020, by: Leonard Solms

PSL Predictions – Matchday 22

With Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns out of league action until February 15, Bidvest Wits, SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates will be looking to make up ground in the PSL title race.

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Bidvest Wits host Maritzburg United at Bidvest Stadium looking to stay hot on the heels of the Premiership’s leading pack.

The Clever Boys sit 15 points behind Kaizer Chiefs with four games in hand. Their game against Black Leopards was postponed due to inclement weather, but Gavin Hunt’s men beat Orlando Pirates on penalties in the Nedbank Cup.

Maritzburg themselves had a favourable result in a shootout, beating Stellenbosch to progress to the last 16. Their league form has been impressive and Wits can not afford to take anything for granted.

Home advantage should ultimately make the difference but expect a tight contest.

The only Valentine’s Day fixture sees Stellenbosch and SuperSport United each seeking to return to the winning form behind their fairytale starts to 2020.

Both teams were dumped out of the Nedbank Cup and have lost a bit of momentum after fantastic starts to the year. Nevertheless, it has been a positive season overall for both Steve Barker and Kaitano Tembo.

Fans at Cape Town Stadium can expect to see an exciting game of football. Stellies got a draw away to SuperSport and are strong enough to claim another on home soil.

Mamelodi Sundowns seek to keep the pressure on Kaizer Chiefs at the top of the table, but they won’t have it easy against a well-oiled Chippa United at Loftus Versfeld.

The wheels appeared to be coming off for the Chilli Boys as they lost 3-0 to SuperSport United, but they held their own in a 2-1 loss to Orlando Pirates before beating TS Galaxy 3-0 in the Nedbank Cup.

Crucially, Augustine Kwem has regained his goalscoring touch. He netted against Sundowns in the Telkom Knockout and will be looking to score again in the league. 

Sundowns have been hit by the news that Thapelo Morena’s injury will  keep him out for the rest of the season. However, their strength in depth should see them continue their positive run of form.

Bidvest Wits are back in action on Saturday as they continue to play catch-up on their league fixtures. Visiting Dylan Kerr’s Baroka at the Peter Mokaba Stadium could potentially be a tricky test.

Bakgaga struggled on their own turf in the early stages of the season but now have back-to-back home wins. Wits may be affected by fixture congestion and lost 1-0 at home to Baroka in August. A draw is the predicted result, all factors considered.

Highlands Park host Bloemfontein Celtic at Makhulong Stadium in a fixture which should have a significant impact on the race for top eight places. Both teams head into this off the back of Nedbank Cup wins and we should be in for an interesting game.

Phunya Sele Sele made light work of embattled AmaZulu, beating them 4-1. Meanwhile, the Lions of the North beat Uthongathi 2-0, having previously seen off Baroka 1-0 in the league.

Celtic are one point behind eighth-placed Highlands Park with a game in hand. There is just about nothing to choose between these sides and this should reflect in the scoreline. Neither side has been particularly solid defensively this season, so lots of goals are predicted.

Kaizer Chiefs come up against their nemesis once more as Maritzburg United visit the Glamour Boys at FNB Stadium.

The Team of Choice knocked Amakhosi out of the Telkom Knockout and were unlucky to draw against them in the league, but Chiefs will be out with a vengeance.

Lately, Ernst Middendorp’s men have been grinding out results. Another narrow win is expected against a solid side.

This Durban derby sees two teams desperately seeking to get back to winning ways at Kings Park Stadium. 

The Sharks are the usual inhabitants of this venue and have been flying the flag for eThekwini in Super Rugby 2020, but both Usuthu and Abafana Bes’thende are out of the Nedbank Cup.

At least Arrows sit seventh in the league, whereas AmaZulu are in dire straits down in 15th. A  report claimed that Lehlohonolo Majoro, Nhlanhla Vilakazi, Michael Morton, Themba Sikhakhane, and Jabu Ncobeni have all been sent to train alone.

Golden Arrows sometimes struggle to see games out against less successful sides, as evidenced by their penalty shootout defeat to Vaal University of Technology. Nevertheless, Abafana Bes’thende have to be seen as most likely to win this one.

Bottom-of-the-table Polokwane City host Cape Town City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium looking to move within touching distance of safety. Their visitors, meanwhile, are chasing a top eight spot and will fancy their chances of an away win.

The reverse fixture came right after Jan Olde Riekerink was confirmed as Cape Town City coach. Vasili Manousakis was still temporarily in the hot seat on the touchline and led City to a 5-3 win.

The men from the Mother City have moved forward in leaps and bounds since then, but they lost 1-0 to Mbombela United in the Nedbank Cup. No doubt Olde Riekerink will demand an immediate response.

At the time of writing, Polokwane City have yet to face Baroka in their Nedbank Cup Round of 32 fixture but have lost 14 of their last 16 games. This alone makes Cape Town City the most likely victor.

Black Leopards host Orlando Pirates at Thohoyandou Stadium looking to avenge the 3-1 defeat they suffered in Josef Zinnbauer’s first game.

Much has changed for Lidoda Duvha since then with Luc Eymael making way for Cavin Johnson, who in turn has been replaced by Interim Coach Allan Clark.

Clark has gotten off to a great start with a 2-1 win over Stellenbosch and a 4-0 drubbing of NWU Students, but this will be a tougher test against a side in red hot form.

The Buccaneers are predicted to bounce back from their Nedbank Cup disappointment against Bidvest Wits, although they likely won’t have a smooth ride in Thohoyandou.

Bidvest Wits will continue to play catch-up in terms of fixtures as they host Highlands Park in a Gauteng derby at Bidvest Stadium.

Highlands Park have only picked up seven points in 10 away league games this season and so Wits are likely to claim all three in this one.

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