Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side will be looking to bounce back in the English Premier League after losing their previous encounter to Chelsea and giving Liverpool the chance to take number one place on the log standings.
This weekend, the Citizens host Everton who are 17 points behind City. Former Manning Rangers player, Saul Molapo makes his prediction on the game as well as other matches that will be played in Mzansi.
Match of the Week
Manchester City v Everton (English Premier League)
Match 1 Soccer 6 Pool 15 December S6 V2 P1
League Rankings: Manchester City 2nd Everton 7th
Useful facts: After losing to Chelsea and surrendering top spot to Liverpool in the league standings, expect Manchester City to come out guns blazing in search of a win. Everton have experienced indifferent form so far this season, winning six, drawing six and losing four. In fact, they were lucky to snatch a draw at the death at home against Watford on Monday night. They have also not really been firing on all cylinders in front of goal, having only scored 23 goals in 16 matches, which should explain why they are sitting in the seventh position. It will not get any easier with City lying in wait. City are the overwhelming favourites to bounce back to winning ways in the league after the humbling defeat to the Blues. The last time the two sides met, in March this year, the defending league champions came out victorious with a 3-1 victory away from home.
Saul Molapo: Manchester City win
Black Leopards v AmaZulu (Premier Soccer League)
Match 2 Soccer 6 Pool 15 December S6 V2 P1
League Rankings: Black Leopards 16th AmaZulu 13th
Useful facts: Black Leopards are in dangerous territory and the sooner they find their way out of the hole they are in, the better, with the season's halfway mark approaching. The top-flight returnees are sitting in 16th place on the log standings, with two wins, three draws and seven losses. Another loss to AmaZulu on the weekend will make life uncomfortable for the new man in charge, Dylan Kerr. For their part, Usuthu have done well in recent times, winning two successive games, against Highlands Park and Chippa United respectively, which has seen them move up to 13th place on the table. This after the setback of being docked six points by FIFA following a contractual dispute with a former player. Cavin Johnson has had the Durban-based side playing some enterprising football this season, but whether they can do that at the Thohoyandou pitch and with a vociferous crowd behind the home side remains to be seen. Emiliano Tade will look to be a thorn on the side of Lidoda Duvha, while Kerr could pin his hopes on Zambian forward Mwape Musonda.
Saul Molapo: Draw
SuperSport United v Maritzburg United (Premier Soccer League)
Match 4 Soccer 6 Pool 15 December S6 V2 P1
League Rankings: SuperSport United 6th Maritzburg United 12th
Useful facts: The going has not been easy for SuperSport United since they lost in the MTN8 final, but they still sit a credible sixth place on the log standings and a win against Maritzburg United at Mbombela Stadium could see them getting even closer to the pacesetters at the top. Just as well, they will be going for all three points against a Team of Choice side that is yet to find their footing this season, although the visitors will have taken heart from their performance away to Orlando Pirates in their last league encounter. However, goals are still hard to come by for Fadlu Davids' charges, who have scored – wait for it – four goals in 11 league games so far! And just how do they break down the Matsatsantsa a Pitori defence that has only conceded 10 goals in 12 matches?
Saul Molapo: Draw
Check out the betting pools here
Check out the betting tips here
