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TIPSTER'S TABLE | Betway Premiership midweek fixtures: Kaizer Chiefs vs Mamelodi Sundowns headlines packed schedule

Premier Soccer League

Smiso Msomi|Published

Kaizer Chiefs face their biggest test of the new Betway PremierShip season when they host defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday. Photo: Backpagepix

Image: Backpagepix

The Betway Premiership enters a crucial midweek round with fixtures spread across Tuesday and Wednesday, promising drama, rivalry and high stakes across the country. From Kaizer Chiefs’ heavyweight clash with Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium to Durban City’s first Limpopo away test, fans are set for an action-packed programme.

TS Galaxy will aim to build on their thumping win over Chippa United despite their ongoing FIFA-imposed transfer ban, while Orlando Pirates return to league duty full of confidence after ousting Sundowns in the MTN8 semi-finals. Richards Bay, Golden Arrows and Stellenbosch all have points to prove on home turf, while newcomers Orbit College and Magesi continue their search for a breakthrough in the top flight.

Wednesday’s matches will focus squarely on Limpopo, where Sekhukhune United welcome AmaZulu to the New Peter Mokaba Stadium before Chiefs and Sundowns lock horns in the round’s marquee clash. With momentum, pride and league positions all on the line, every encounter carries weight in shaping the early-season picture.


TUESDAY

TS Galaxy, coached by Adnan Beganovic, are aiming to maintain momentum after their 4-1 win over Chippa United. Photo: Backpagepix

Image: Backpagepix

TS Galaxy vs Siwelele FC

  • Venue: Mbombela Stadium

  • Kick-off: 7.30pm

Both teams have had a mixed start to the season, with each side managing just one victory from their opening three matches. TS Galaxy will be hoping their emphatic 4-1 triumph over Chippa United was the start of better fortunes following a slow opening to the campaign.

With limited options available, Adnan Beganovic will once again lead a Rockets side unable to fill their bench as they continue to navigate a FIFA-imposed transfer ban. As they prepare to welcome Siwelele to the Mbombela Stadium, Galaxy will carry the momentum of that convincing win into the clash.

Inconsistency has been a theme for both sides, and ultimately, whichever team arrives in the right frame of mind is likely to walk away with the all-important three points.

Prediction: Siwelele FC 1-0

Betting odds: No odds at time of publication

Polokwane City vs Durban City

  • Venue: Old Peter Mokaba Stadium

  • Kick-off: 7.30pm

Durban City travel to the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium for Tuesday evening’s Betway Premiership clash, the first of two away fixtures in Limpopo this week. The visitors arrive in good spirits after an encouraging start to life in the top flight, collecting seven points from their opening three matches.

Two wins and a draw underline a confident start, with their latest outing a hard-fought 1-1 draw in their first ever KZN derby against Golden Arrows. Polokwane City, meanwhile, have had a mixed start to the season, boasting one win, one loss, and one draw so far. Home advantage has traditionally been key for them, and they will look to make it count against the Premiership newcomers.

Durban City’s momentum and attacking intent make them dangerous opponents, and having settled quickly into the league, they will see this as another chance to underline their credentials against established opposition.

Prediction: Polokwane City 1-1 Durban City

Betting odds: Polokwane City 1.92 | Draw 3.00 | Durban City 4.60

Ronnie Gabriel will be desperate to end Richards Bay’s poor record against the Chilli Boys. Photo: Backpagepix

Image: Backpagepix

Richards Bay vs Chippa United

  • Venue: Richards Bay Stadium

  • Kick-off: 7.30pm

Richards Bay welcome Chippa United in what has become a tricky fixture for the Natal Rich Boyz. Their most recent meeting ended in a goalless draw, highlighting how tight these contests can be, though Chippa have dominated the head-to-head record.

In the last five clashes, the Chilli Boys have claimed four victories, with Richards Bay yet to register a single win and only one draw to show for their efforts. That history will no doubt be on the minds of both teams as they prepare for this encounter.

Ronnie Gabriel and Papi Zothwane’s side will be desperate to finally end that winless streak, especially at home, but Chippa’s knack for grinding out results in this fixture makes them dangerous opponents.

Prediction: Richards Bay 1-1 Chippa United

Betting odds: Richards Bay 2.33 | Draw 2.70 | Chippa United 3.70

Orlando Pirates FC vs Orbit College FC

  • Venue: Orlando Stadium, Soweto

  • Kick-off: 7.30pm

Fresh from their MTN8 semi-final conquest over Sundowns, Pirates return to Premiership action with a home fixture against Orbit College. Pirates will be looking to retain their winning momentum following their win against Stellenbosch last week, after losing their first two games.

Newly promoted Orbit took a 3-0 hammering against Sekhukhune United last week and are still trying to find their feet in the top-flight league. Orbit have shown great fighting spirit, but the more experienced Pirates should win comfortably. Both teams have three points from their opening three games.

Prediction: Orlando Pirates 2-0 Orbit College FC

Betting odds: Orlando Pirates 0.5 | Draw 2.9 | Orbit College FC 6.60

Stellenbosch FC vs Marumo Gallants

  • Venue: Danie Craven Stadium

  • Kick-off: 7.30pm

Stellenbosch will host Marumo Gallants FC in a Premiership match at the Danie Craven Stadium, known for its poor playing surface. Whoever adapts best to the conditions usually comes out on top.

Stellenbosch have yet to win a game after three rounds but showed good form over the weekend in their MTN8 match, progressing to the final. Gallants started the season strongly with back-to-back wins, including one against Pirates. They lost to AmaZulu last week but, after the MTN8 break, should be fit and ready to challenge a gutsy Winelands team.

Prediction: Stellenbosch FC 2-1 Marumo Gallants

Betting odds: Stellenbosch FC 0.85 | Draw 2.0 | Marumo Gallants 4.2


WEDNESDAY

Sekhukhune United vs AmaZulu

  • Venue: New Peter Mokaba Stadium

  • Kick-off: 7.30pm

Fresh off being knocked out of the MTN8 by Stellenbosch FC, Sekhukhune United will be looking to return to winning ways when they host AmaZulu. Babina Noko have only played a single home match in their first three, and as they aim to maintain their winning start to the season, they will face a young AmaZulu side.

The Limpopo-based outfit has previously walked away with maximum points from this fixture, and with the two matches between them producing eight goals—six of those scored by Sekhukhune—their home advantage is expected to work in their favour once again. They look set to be too strong for Usuthu.

Prediction: Sekhukhune United 2-0 AmaZulu

Betting odds: Sekhukhune United win 1.2 | Draw 1.95 | AmaZulu win 2.75

Kaizer Chiefs vs Mamelodi Sundowns

  • Venue: FNB Stadium

  • Kick-off: 7.30pm

High-flying Kaizer Chiefs will be looking to extend their winning streak when they take on Mamelodi Sundowns. Both sides enter the clash off the back of decent league results, with Chiefs enjoying some time off while Sundowns were knocked out of the MTN8 by rivals Orlando Pirates. Amakhosi will be eager to take advantage of their opponents’ bruised pride.

The Brazilians dominated this fixture last season, winning both legs. Despite Chiefs’ current confidence, Sundowns still hold the upper hand and are expected to come out on top.

Prediction: Sundowns 2-1 Chiefs

Betting odds: Kaizer Chiefs win 3.9 | Draw 2.35 | Mamelodi Sundowns win 0.8

Golden Arrows vs Magesi FC

  • Venue: Princess Magogo Stadium

  • Kick-off: 7.30pm

Golden Arrows host Premiership Magesi FC this week in search of consistency after a mixed start to the season. Abafana Bes’thende have recorded one win, one draw, and one defeat from their opening three fixtures, including a 1-1 stalemate with Durban City in their last outing.

Magesi, meanwhile, are still chasing their first top-flight victory. The Limpopo side have shown resilience with two draws so far, but a 2-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns last week highlighted the gulf in quality they will need to bridge.

With Arrows’ attacking style and home advantage at the Princess Magogo Stadium, they will be favourites, though Magesi will see this as a chance to finally make a breakthrough.

Prediction: Golden Arrows 2-1 Magesi FC

Betting odds: Golden Arrows 2.43 | Draw 2.75 | Magesi FC 3.40

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