Supersport v Orlando Pirates Betting Guide by OptaJabu

Supersport have a chance to secure their 10th win of the season when they host Orlando Pirates on Wednesday afternoon. This will be the 50th edition of this fixture, making it the joint-most played fixture in PSL history (Chiefs-Supersport has also been played 50 times). Supersport have won 17 games, Pirates have won 19, while the other 13 have ended in a draw.

We’ve written before about Supersport’s home form in the past, specifically that they are currently on their longest run without a home defeat in their PSL history (14 games). This will be their 10th home game of a season, and already they could set another record for the club (see below in Match Facts).

Their opponents won their last league game against Cape Town City, but have struggled for consistency, winning successive league games only once all season.

Having said that, this is traditionally one of Pirates’ favourite fixtures. Only against Sundowns (24) have Supersport lost more league games than they have against Pirates (19). In addition, The Buccaneers have thrived in this fixture of late, particularly since Josef Zinnbauer took charge. Pirates have won both games played against Supersport under the German’s tenure (both 2-1 wins in August and November last year).

One thing we’re looking forward to is goals. Since the start of the season, Supersport have found the net in every league game they have played except for the games against Sundowns. Yet, Pirates have not scored in the last 270 minutes of action away to Supersport in the league. Pirates may not be the most prolific outfit in the league but have scored Over 0.5 in four of their last five league games. 

Leading the chase for goals is Bradley Grobler. The 33-year old striker has scored his 13th goal of the season over the weekend, continuing his impressive form in this campaign. He needs just one more goal to equal his best tally in a PSL season, and we’re only past the halfway mark. He is also not just scoring, but assisting too – no player has been involved in more goals this season than Grobler (13 goals and 2 assists). Besides, Grobler also loves playing in big games.

Match Facts

3 – Josef Zinnbauer can become the first Pirates coach in PSL history to win three league games against Supersport.

8 – Grobler has scored eight goals against Pirates in his PSL career. Only against Chiefs (10) has he scored more.

9 – Supersport’s longest run without a home defeat from the start of a season is 9 games (2016/17 and 2019/20), and avoiding defeat today would set a new club record (10).

117 – The Pirates v Supersport league fixture has seen 117 goals in the PSL era and is the second highest scoring fixture in PSL history (behind Supersport v Sundowns, 118).