Sundowns bid to make a 14th straight victory in the league when they matchup with a Pirates side enjoying a three-game winning streak. This fixture has seen goals galore and should produce a cracking affair at the Orlando Stadium!
To Win Match
Orlando Pirates 2/1 | Draw 2/1 | Mamelodi Sundowns 14/10
Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates were tipped to rival Sundowns in the DStv Premiership this season, and inconsistency took a stronghold. But the recent arrival of striker coach Scott Chickelday has coincided with an avalanche of goals leading the side to three straight wins. Nine goals in just as many games and the key man being Monnapule Saleng who emphatically found the back of the net twice against current opponents earlier in the season.
Jose Riveiro is getting the time at Pirates in a climate when coaches aren’t given enough time to implement a project. We have seen glimmers of good passages of passing, great defensive displays and now fine finishing. Maybe the rivalling of Sundowns for the league title was premature, but the building blocks of progression are evident.
Jose will have a fit Thembinkosi Lorch, Olisa Ndah, James Monyane for the game against Sundowns, but I don’t believe the Spaniard will make use of these players as winning ways have ensued without them. As previously mentioned, Saleng is a must-have in the starting XI, and Kermit Erasmus has shown his drive and passion to play against his former employers, but most importantly, the return of Miguel Timm should give an extra boost.
The title is long gone, but every fixture against Mamelodi Sundowns is a litmus test to the work being done. At the end of the day, Pirates will get to see where the work being done pits them against the best.
Predicted Line-up: Chaine; Maela, Sibisi, Xoki, Shandu; Saleng, Ndlondlo, Monare, Timm, Hotto; Erasmus.
Mamelodi Sundowns
A topflight record continues to improve as Mamelodi Sundowns bid to register a 14th straight victory in the league. The league is done and dusted in many footy fans’ opinions, but a big game is still one filled with pride and competitiveness that every Masandawana player will relish in.
Since the restructuring of the technical staff at the club, life has looked a little more promising – not that it was in the slightest a muddle. Coach Rhulani Mokwena has found a new captain in Themba Zwane, found a ‘permanent’ role for new incomings Teboho Mokoena and Marcelo Allende and nobody can knock his methods as life is sublime at the moment.
There are many positives for Sundowns, but the young Chilean (Allende) receiving a red card is a blow to the momentum they have built. There is no lack in depth, and the return of Peter Shalulile and his knack for goal is a welcome outlet.
The real hope here is that Sundowns find a win, especially for Coach Rhulani, considering his history with Pirates, but we all know the main goal is CAF Champions League.
Predicted Line-up: Williams; Mudau, Kekana, Mvala, Modiba; Allende, Mokoena, Zwane, Maema; Shalulile, Mailula.
Verdict: Mamelodi Sundowns (14/10)
Evident progress has been made for Soweto giants Orlando Pirates from defensive solidarity to great passages of passing play, and now the Sea Robbers have put the cherry on top with much better finishing. However, coach Jose Riveiro faces the big task of outdoing Mamelodi Sundowns who ride a 13-match win streak.
Pirates must take a cautious approach despite the good form and look for feasible counter attacks. This could prove fruitful considering their great finishing in recent fixtures, but the relentless ball movement and overall quality of Sundowns is hard to overcome.
