PREVIEW: 2023 Hollywoodbets Super League – Round 2

Round two of the Hollywoodbets Super League got underway this week with defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies winning their mid-week clash against Ma-Indies Ladies to make it two wins in two. The action continues this weekend with multiple teams looking for their first wins and some looking to keep their winning starts intact. 

This weekend we’ve got three games to look forward to on Saturday and another two on Sunday that will be televised on SABC. 

Saturday February 11 

Royal AM 9/10 | Draw 2/1 | First Touch 3/1 (15:00) 

Royal AM Ladies got off to a great start this season scoring twice and keeping a clean sheet away at Ma-Indies Ladies. The home side will be looking to take their winning momentum on to this game against a First Touch side that finished ninth last season after managing to win just under than 50% of their games. In the opening weekend, the visiting side did well to draw against TUT, who finished third in the league last season. For a side that conceded 48 in 30 games in their last campaign, a clean sheet would have been a welcomed start. 

I don’t expect many goals in this one, but I still think Royal AM might just edge First Touch by a low-scoring margin. I’m backing a win for Royal AM Ladies. 

Thunderbirds FC 9/10 | Draw 2/1 | Durban Ladies 2/1 (15:00) 

After finishing in the lower half of the table last season, Thunderbirds got off to a great start last weekend drawing away against one of the league’s best-performing sides, JVW (a side that has lost a few of its key players before the 2023 season kicked off). They host a Durban Ladies side that will be looking for its first points this season having lost 2-0 against UJ in the opening weekend. Durban Ladies struggled in front of goal last season, averaging a goal per game and seem to have carried that issue to this season. Away from home, it will be interesting to see if they can test the bird’s defence. 

This should be a tightly contested game, but I’m leaning towards a double chance that favours the home side; Thunderbirds win or draw. 

TUT FC 13/10 | Draw 2/1 | Copperbelt 2/1 (15:00)

TUT will be looking for their first win of the season when they clash with newcomers Copperbelt, who got off to a winning start in their first season in the Hollywoodbets Super League. The home side achieved the third-highest goal tally last season but struggled to break down First Touch FC in their opener last weekend. This should boost Copperbelt’s confidence and they will feel they can get something out of this game. 

TUT faced a team that is well acquainted with their style of play, at home they are a stronger side. I’m backing a win for the home side.  

Sunday 12 February

8/10 University of Pretoria | Draw 21/10 | TS Galaxy Queens 33/10 (11:30)
📺 SABC Sport

The home side got their campaign off to a losing start, going down 2-1 against fellow new kids on the block; Copperbelt. They’ll be looking to rectify this against TS Galaxy Queens, who are also in their first season in the premier league of women’s football in SA. Galaxy Queens will be playing their second consecutive away game while the University of Pretoria will be playing their first game at home. In this game, they’ll be hoping all their new recruits will start gelling as a team.

I’m on the fence on this one, the match could go either way, double chance: University of Pretoria win or TS Galaxy Queens win. 

1/10 University of JHB | Draw 13/2 | Coal City Wizards (14/1) (15:00)
📺 SABC 1 

UJ finished well inside the top half last season having won 50% of their 30 games. They’ve already registered a win this season and will be looking to build on that against Coal City Wizards who took a heavy beating against UWC, conceding 9 goals. The Wizards conceded an average of 2 goals per game last campaign and don’t seem to have fixed their leaky defence ahead of the 2023 season. UJ on the other hand kept a clean sheet against seasoned campaigners, Durban Ladies (who were playing at home). 

This should be an easy win for UJ.