This weekend the Premier Soccer League action will take centre stage, with the clash between SuperSport United and Bidvest Wits arguably being the pick of the lot as both sides are not yet completely out of the league tile race.
The Clever Boys have been inconsistent since the start of the second round of the season, while Matsatsantsa have gained momentum with their latest performances. This promises to be an exciting encounter.
Who will walk away with three points come the end of the match? Former Orlando Pirates midfielder, Gerald Modabi, gave his prediction on the game as well as others.
Match of the Week
SuperSport United v Bidvest Wits (Premier Soccer League)
Match 5 Soccer 6 Pool27 April S6 V1 P2
League Rankings: SuperSport United 4th Bidvest Wits 3rd
Useful facts: Seeing both teams still have a realistic chance of winning the league title, this should be a cracker of a game. Expect goals in this one, especially both sides are aware that they will need the likes of Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns to slip up if they are to move up the log standings, and to make matters more interesting, there's not many games left. Before this encounter, though, there is the small matter of the midweek fixtures, with SuperSport United visiting AmaZulu and Bidvest Wits at home to Black Leopards, both on Wednesday. The results of those matches could determine how both teams approach this match, with factors like injuries and suspensions to consider. Kaitano Tembo's charges must be on a high after getting the better of cross-town rivals Downs last Wednesday and will be aiming for the scalp of another team above them on the standings. What will please the head coach is that their goals have been coming from different sources, which should be a source of concern for the visitors. Gavin Hunt's side has shown a bit of inconsistency at this late stage after being on top of the standings for so long, but the win over the Chilli Boys will have come as a massive morale booster. That aside, the strike force of both teams will play a key role – Mxolisi Macuphu and Bradley Grobler for Matsatsantsa a Pitori and the likes of Lehlohonolo Majoro and Gift Motupa for the Clever Boys, and so whoever is better organised at the back could well snatch the much-needed victory.
Gerald Modabi: Draw
Black Leopards v Maritzburg United (Premier Soccer League)
Match 1 Soccer 6 Pool27 April S6 V1 P2
League Rankings: Black Leopards 12th Maritzburg United 16th
Useful facts: For Maritzburg United, there simply is no room for defeat, as relegation to the National First Division is a very real possibility for them. Meeting Black Leopards, who are positioned 12th on the league table, at Thohoyandou Stadium, is similar to entering a lion's den. The 12th man will definitely make things difficult for Eric Tinkler's charges, especially seeing that Lidoda Duvha themselves are not safe from the dreaded axe. A loss for them could be catastrophic, with only three games remaining after this fixture. Relegation for the home side would leave them with a lot of questions, as it looks like their striker, Mwape Musonda, will finish the season as the Golden Boot winner. Plus they have played some fantastic football at times this season. Leopards, who stole a point off Kaizer Chiefs in their last game and are facing Bidvest Wits on Wednesday, are the favourites to snatch a victory, but if the Team of Choice are able to find the self-motivation, they could cause a big upset in what would have been unfavourable conditions.
Gerald Modabi: Draw
Bloemfontein Celtic v Kaizer Chiefs (Premier Soccer League)
Match 6 Soccer 6 Pool27 April S6 V1 P2
League Rankings:Bloemfontein Celtic 10th Kaizer Chiefs 7th
Useful facts: Kaizer Chiefs form in the Nedbank Cup and the league is a bit of chalk and cheese – while they have progressed to the final of the cup competition, they are sitting a lowly seventh, for a team of their standing, in the league and will have it all to do against Bloemfontein Celtic this Saturday. The 'home side' are chasing a spot in the Top Eight, although there's nothing 'home' about the venue for the game – Peter Mokaba Stadium – which could hand the advantage to Amakhosi. But maybe the one advantage is that they are playing at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium against Polokwane City on Wednesday and will have gotten used to the feel of Limpopo, although Chiefs do not have a midweek fixture and will be well-rested. If Ernst Middendorp's charges turn it on, they will easily secure the victory against a side perhaps demotivated by playing a home game away from home, and with all the off-field issues to contend with.
Gerald Modabi: Kaizer Chiefs win
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