The race at the top of the ABSA Premiership log standings continues to be a tight affair as a top-of-the-table clash between Bidvest Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns will take place this coming weekend.
Two points separate The Clever Boys from Pitso Mosimane and his charges as they go into this match. This will be a home match for Wits and they are known to be a tough nut to crack in front of their home crowd. Sundowns, on the other hand, drew their previous league match earlier this week against Polokwane City and will be hoping to not lose any more vital points as they gun to retain their title.
Former SuperSport United player, Raymond Seopa gets in on the firing matches this week and makes his predictions.
Match of the Week
Bidvest Wits v Mamelodi Sundowns (Premier Soccer League)
Match 4 Soccer 6 Pool 23 February S6 V1 P2
League Rankings: Bidvest Wits 1st Mamelodi Sundowns 2nd
Useful facts: There is no love lost whenever the two teams meet and this fixture promises to be just as hard-fought as the first-round encounter between the two sides at Lucas Moripe Stadium, which ended 1-1. Although it is a match between the two teams at the top of the league standings, with three points separating them, it's too early to call it a title decider. Second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns have three games in hand and a win under the Bidvest Stadium floodlights could see them going top of the standings on goal difference. However, Bidvest Wits always somehow seem a different beast when playing at home and Downs could have a torrid time trying to contain or break them down. They will also want to bounce back after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Highlands Park in their last league game, with Gavin Hunt and his charges aware that games are running out. In the end, a win for either side will be massively important for either side, with more twists and turns expected later on as the season approaches the business end.
Raymond Seopa: Bidvest Wits win
Cape Town City v Maritzburg United (Premier Soccer League)
Match 1 Soccer 6 Pool 23 February S6 V1 P2
League Rankings: Cape Town City 4th Maritzburg United 16th
Useful facts: Eric Tinkler will know better than anybody as to the task that awaits his Maritzburg United down in the Mother City, as he was once in charge of Cape Town City. Visiting teams never find it easy in Cape Town due to the weather factor and, nowadays, the fan base that the Citizens seem to have built up. Confidence is sky-high in the City camp after hammering Highlands Park 3-0 in the cup competition over the weekend and this match comes at just the right time, as they will be out to right the wrongs of their last league performance where they lost to AmaZulu despite having created the bulk of the opportunities. There is a feeling in the football fraternity that the Cape side is a dark for the championship and a positive result on Saturday could do a lot to send a message and exert pressure on the log leaders. The Team of Choice, however, are fighting for their lives down at the bottom, so expect them to give it a real go, with Thabiso Kutumela looking to continue from where he left off in the last game. They are also well rested, having not played over the weekend.
Raymond Seopa: Cape Town City win
Orlando Pirates v AmaZulu FC (Premier Soccer League)
Match 5 Soccer 6 Pool 23 February S6 V1 P2
League Rankings: Orlando Pirates 3rd AmaZulu FC 11th
Useful facts: Matches between the two teams always produce fireworks. For starters, Orlando Pirates will want to use this match as a springboard to launch a serious title challenge after dropping crucial points in recent games, most notably in the Soweto Derby. A win for them, coupled with a draw in the game between Bidvest Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns, will see them occupying the second position – and from there, anything is possible, as they will be well aware. It remains to be seen how much of a loss Emiliano Tade will prove to be for the visitors in a game of this magnitude, but Cavin Johnson has a capable side, as they proved when they beat Cape Town City in their previous match. The Durban side could also be sucked into a nasty relegation fight if they drop points at this stage and that would be the last thing they want.
Raymond Seopa: Draw
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