Mamelodi Sundowns will be in CAF Champions League action this weekend, offering Orlando Pirates a chance to reclaim the top spot in the Betway Premiership if they secure a victory against Richards Bay on Friday night.

This match is one of several important fixtures in the league this weekend, impacting both ends of the table.

The high-scoring Orlando Pirates can return to the summit with a win at Richards Bay, setting their sights on accumulating 19 points from the last 21 available to exert pressure on Mamelodi Sundowns.

Currently, the Brazilians lead with 56 points and a +30 goal difference, while Pirates sit just behind on 54 points with a +36 goal difference. The latter have recently secured emphatic victories in their last two league matches, triumphing 6-0 against TS Galaxy and 5-0 against Lamontville Golden Arrows.

A win for Richards Bay would elevate them into the top half of the standings, having distanced themselves from relegation concerns despite losing three of their last four league fixtures, including a 2-0 defeat against Pirates in March.

All three of those losses occurred away from home, and Richards Bay present a much tougher challenge at their own ground. They have only suffered two defeats in their 11 home outings this season (W5 D4), although Pirates managed to edge them out 1-0 in their previous meeting in KwaZulu-Natal during the Carling Knockout in November.

Pirates have a strong track record against Richards Bay, winning all five of their last encounters, with six victories and three draws in their ten previous meetings. Remarkably, they have never been defeated by Richards Bay in KZN (W4 D2).

Chiefs face tricky Galaxy

Third-placed Kaizer Chiefs will continue their quest for CAF Confederation Cup football next season when they welcome TS Galaxy in Soweto on Sunday.

The Chiefs are in search of their fourth consecutive league win and currently occupy the final CAF interclub qualification position, holding a one-point advantage over AmaZulu, albeit with two games in hand.

Despite reaching the finals of the Nedbank Cup, Galaxy’s league form has been inconsistent, placing them in 12th position, but they are not in immediate danger of relegation.

However, they have suffered defeat in seven of their last eight league matches (D1) and need to turn their fortunes around to ensure safety. This includes a humiliating 6-0 loss to Pirates, marking the largest defeat in the club’s history.

The last four clashes between these teams have ended in stalemates, while nine of the previous 13 encounters overall have also finished level. Galaxy hold a slight edge with three wins compared to Chiefs’ one, showcasing the difficulties the AmaKhosi have had against The Rockets over the years.

The Chiefs’ only victory came during an away match in 2021, with their home encounters yielding five draws and two losses out of seven.

Relegation showdown

A crucial relegation battle will unfold on Sunday as Marumo Gallants take on Orbit College, both of whom have been struggling for form.

With both teams sitting on 18 points from 23 matches, they are just one point clear of the last-placed Magesi FC, currently in the automatic relegation zone.

The struggling Gallants have suffered 10 losses in their last 11 matches across all competitions, their only salvation being a 3-1 win against Chippa United last month.

Orbit College isn’t faring any better, having lost 10 of their last 13 games, with a single win against Galaxy last month.

Both teams are desperately seeking to rediscover their winning touch.

The first encounter this season ended in a 1-1 draw, while they faced off in the second tier in the 2023/24 season, resulting in each team winning their respective home tie.

Magesi aim for consecutive victories

At the bottom of the table, Magesi FC are determined to secure back-to-back league wins as they travel to face the unpredictable Sekhukhune United on Saturday. A win here would certainly lift them off the bottom of the standings.

Magesi recently triumphed over Gallants with a 3-0 victory, ending a 13-match winless spell across all competitions, and will be eager to build on that success. However, they remain the only team in the top league without an away win this season (D5 L7).

Sekhukhune have also been in a slump, going six matches without a win (D4 L2), and have now fallen four points off the third spot and Confederation Cup qualification. While they may have secured a likely top-eight finish, aspirations for a top-three finish were the initial goal for the season.

The teams have met three times previously, with Sekhukhune winning twice and once drawing.

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As Mamelodi Sundowns gears up for their CAF Champions League match this weekend, Orlando Pirates have the opportunity to reclaim top spot in the Betway Premiership with a win against Richards Bay this Friday night.

This weekend’s fixtures feature several critical matches affecting both the top and bottom of the league standings.

High-scoring Orlando Pirates could ascend to the summit of the table if they secure a victory in Richards Bay, aiming to achieve 19 points from their last 21 available while maintaining pressure on Mamelodi Sundowns.

Currently, Sundowns sit at 56 points with a +30 goal difference, and Pirates follow closely with 54 points and a +36 goal difference. The Pirates have been in fine form, having won their last two league encounters with impressive margins of 6-0 against TS Galaxy and 5-0 against Lamontville Golden Arrows.

A win for Richards Bay could propel them into the upper half of the table, having distanced themselves from relegation concerns despite suffering three defeats in their last four league matches, including a 2-0 loss to the Pirates in March.

All three of Richards Bay’s recent losses occurred away from home, but they present a stronger challenge on their home turf, where they have lost only two out of 11 games this season (W5 D4). Notably, they previously faced the Pirates at home in November during the Carling Knockout, where they fell 1-0.

In fact, the Pirates have triumphed in the last five encounters between the two teams, with a tally of six wins and three draws across ten previous meetings. They have yet to lose to Richards Bay on their ground, registering four wins and two draws.

Chiefs host tricky Galaxy

Kaizer Chiefs, currently sitting in third place, are on the hunt for CAF Confederation Cup qualification as they face TS Galaxy in Soweto this Sunday.

The Chiefs are eager for their fourth consecutive league win and currently occupy the last CAF interclub qualification spot, holding a one-point advantage over AmaZulu with two games in hand.

Although Galaxy made it to the final of the Nedbank Cup, their league performance has been inconsistent, placing them 12th in the standings but not in immediate relegation danger.

However, having lost seven out of their last eight league matches (D1), they need to halt this trend to secure their place. This includes a 6-0 defeat to the Pirates, marking the heaviest loss in the club’s history.

The past four encounters between these teams have ended in draws, with nine out of their previous 13 meetings yielding the same result. Galaxy holds three wins to Chiefs’ solitary victory, highlighting Chiefs’ struggles against The Rockets historically.

The only win for Chiefs came in 2021 during an away match. At home, they have drawn five and lost two out of seven encounters.

Relegation scrap

This Sunday features a vital clash as two struggling teams, Marumo Gallants and Orbit College, meet in a tense encounter.

Both clubs are on 18 points from 23 matches, just a point above the bottom-placed Magesi FC who occupy the automatic relegation spot.

Gallants are in dire form, having lost 10 of their last 11 matches across all competitions, with their only solace being a 3-1 victory over Chippa United last month.

Orbit College have also struggled, losing 10 out of their past 13 games, with just one win against Galaxy last month.

Each team appears to have forgotten the art of winning.

In their earlier encounter this season, they played to a 1-1 draw, while both teams had victories in their respective home matches during their previous meeting in the 2023/24 second tier.

Magesi looks to build momentum

Bottom-placed Magesi FC will strive for consecutive league wins when they take on the inconsistent Sekhukhune United on Saturday, knowing a win could lift them off the bottom.

Magesi finally broke a 13-match winless streak by defeating Gallants 3-0 last time out and will be eager to build on this success. However, they remain the only side in the league yet to secure an away victory this season (D5 L7).

Sekhukhune’s form has been disappointing, with no wins in their last six outings (D4 L2), and they find themselves four points behind third place and a shot at Confederation Cup qualification. Initially, they had hoped for a top-three finish at the season’s onset.

The teams have faced each other three times previously, with Sekhukhune winning twice and one match ending in a draw.

Compiled by SportArena.au
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