Can Pep's Manchester City make it two in a row against Tottenham Hotspur or will Pochettino's boys spoil the party? After Raheem Sterling and co smashed West Ham 5-0, the English champions will be out for victory once again. Who's your money on?
Turning our eyes to all things local, do you think Cape Town City can edge a sturdy Polokwane City side? Will Benni McCarthy swing his jacket in victory once again or will Rise and Shine be too hot to handle for their Mother City hosts? Make your pick! Can Bidvest Wits get over their indifferent start with a win against SuperSport United? Or will Matsatsantsa kick off their delayed start to the season with a win away from home?
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur (EPL)
Match 6 Soccer 6 Pool 17 August S1 V1 P1
League Rankings: Manchester City 1st Tottenham Hotspur 6th
Useful facts: Manchester City opened the season in emphatic fashion, hammering West Ham United 5-0 last season, and Pep Guardiola will be looking for more of the same from his charges, although he was not entirely satisfied with their performance – in true Pep style. Their opponents, Tottenham Hotspur, also registered a positive result in their first game of the campaign, beating Aston Villa 3-1. City's hattrick hero of last weekend, Raheem Sterling, will be looking to continue from where he left off. The Citizens will also be out to show who's boss, after they were painfully eliminated on the away goal rule at the quarterfinal stage of the UEFA Champions League by the Lilywhites last season. Both teams will be aware that collecting points as early in the season as possible is always crucial.
Nhlanhla Zwane: Manchester City to win
Cape Town v Polokwane City (MTN 8)
League Rankings: Cape Town 4th and Polokwane City 2nd
Match 2 Soccer 6 Pool 17 August S1 V1 P1
Useful facts: Which City is going to walk off the field with a smile down in the Mother City after the match – Cape Town City or Polokwane City? Most people will have their money on the Citizens securing a semi-final passage, especially playing at home where they are known to be hard to break down. Their derby win against Stellenbosch FC over the weekend will have done the confidence of Benni McCarthy's charges the world of good and confidence is one thing you need in abundance going into a cup encounter. Football should also be the winner on the day, whatever the outcome, as these are two teams who play the type of football that is a sight for sore eyes. Perhaps the visitors will want to exploit the fact that Cape Town City are the defending champions of the competition and so all eyes – and the pressure – will be on them. Expect veteran campaigner Jabu Maluleka to be his usual busy self in the centre of midfield, giving his opponents a torrid time. The home side themselves are not lacking when it comes to individual talent, and Kermit Erasmus will be out to capitalise on any sloppy defending that may arise from the Rise and Shine side.
Nhlanhla Zwane: Cape Town City to win
Bidvest Wits v SuperSport United (MTN 8)
League Rankings: Bidvest Wits 6th SuperSport United 15th
Match 3 Soccer 6 Pool 17 August S1 V1 P1
Useful facts: SuperSport United came agonisingly close to winning this tournament last season, losing to Cape Town City in the final, and will obviously now be out to go one better. The journey starts at Bidvest Stadium, where they meet a Bidvest Wits side that is also always up for winning a trophy or two during a season. They can be hard to beat on their home turf as well, which makes this a tricky encounter for Kaitano Tembo's charges. With SuperSport United being an ambitious side, Kaitano is expected to deliver this season and failure to progress past the quarterfinal stage will only pile on the pressure on the Zimbabwean mentor. After missing out on the league title last season, the Clever Boys will want to start the season with some silverware success, and what better way than for Gavin Hunt to knock out his former team at the first hurdle.
Nhlanhla Zwane: Bidvest Wits to win
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