Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs return to action this midweek with two matches in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday. The Brazilians are looking to reclaim their position at the top of the table, while Amakhosi aim to secure third place.
Here’s a brief overview of the two fixtures.
Sundowns face Polokwane City for the first of two encounters in just five days, resembling a home-and-away cup tie, although both results will impact their league standings.
This Wednesday’s away match was initially intended to be Sundowns’ final league game of the season before being postponed due to their involvement in the CAF Champions League final.
The home match on Sunday in Pretoria is also a rescheduled fixture from earlier this season and will occur during the Nedbank Cup final weekend. Thus, by Sunday evening, Sundowns could find themselves five points clear at the top of the table, though they will have played one more match than second-placed Orlando Pirates.
Pirates will be hoping for Polokwane to come through for them, taking points off Sundowns in at least one of these clashes to level the playing field in the title challenge.
It’s certainly possible. Polokwane managed to beat Sundowns 1-0 at home last season and held them to a 0-0 draw away the campaign prior. Furthermore, Sundowns required extra time to achieve a 1-0 victory against them in the 2024 MTN8, illustrating that this side poses a challenge for the Brazilians.
In their history of encounters in Polokwane, there has never been a draw. Of the nine previous matchups, City have claimed victory three times, while Sundowns boast six wins.
Miguel Cardoso’s team is currently on a rare streak of draws, having secured consecutive draws in their last league matches for the first time in over two years. They haven’t registered three consecutive draws since April 2023.
Polokwane are unbeaten in their last four outings (W2 D2) and have only suffered two defeats at home this season, though their tally of seven draws out of 13 games is quite high.
A win could see them surge to fifth place, capping off an already impressive season, and victory would likely ensure their qualification for the MTN8 next term.
Chiefs aim for third position
Kaizer Chiefs could nearly confirm a top-three finish with a victory away at Siwelele on Wednesday, but they must be cautious of settling for a draw.
Chiefs currently sit five points ahead of fourth-placed AmaZulu, with a game in hand. If they extend their lead to eight points, it would be difficult to envisage them relinquishing that position with only four matches left.
Siwelele have recorded three consecutive draws and have logged 11 draws in their 25 matches this season, the most of any team in the top division.
They have struggled in front of goal, netting only 13 times, which is comfortably the lowest in the league, but on the flip side, they possess the fifth-best defence, conceding just 17 goals.
With a total of 30 goals scored and conceded in 25 games, fans have witnessed little exhilarating action, suggesting that a solitary goal could well decide the outcome in this matchup.
Chiefs have been performing impressively on the road this season, averaging exactly two points per game from their 11 matches and suffering only one loss, which occurred at Richards Bay last month.
They have allowed just four goals against them while playing away, while Siwelele have conceded five times at home over the course of 12 matches.
The teams played to a 0-0 stalemate in their previous encounter, and don’t be surprised if a similar outcome unfolds once again.
Compiled by SportArena.au
Fanpage: SportArena.au.
LiveScore – Live Sports Results & Odds.
