There will be another full round of DStv Premiership action this weekend with local derbies and records to be set, both wanted and unwanted.
We bring you the talking points ahead of the matches.
Ailing Stellies need derby boost
Stellenbosch FC will host Cape Town City in a provincial derby with the home side on a nine-game winless streak that has sent them tumbling towards the bottom of the table. Stellenbosch last tasted victory in October when they defeated Maritzburg United 3-0, but since then have lost five and drawn four in a horror run. That culminated in a 4-1 defeat at Orlando Pirates last time out, when in truth they could have lost by double that number. City’s form, by contrast, has perked up and they could rise as high as fourth, temporarily at least, with a win. However, they have not beaten Stellies in any of their last four games (D1 L3).
Can Sekhukhune stop Sundowns?
Mamelodi Sundowns will go in search of win number 14 in a row to extend their current best PSL mark as they close in on Kaizer Chiefs’ all-time South African record of 17 successive victories that was set in 1991. A few weeks ago, this home clash against Sekhukhune United would have been a home banker for Sundowns, but their opponents are on a superb run orchestrated by new coach Brandon Truter. They have won their last four games in a row, not conceding in their previous three games, which suggests they will be a much tougher nut for Sundowns than many would expect. The teams played to a 1-1 draw when they met in August.
Can SuperSport get back to winning ways?
SuperSport United have seen their charge up the table halted in the last three games, taking just a single point from a possible nine. Next up is a trip to Swallows FC, who are languishing near the foot of the table but have been improved since Ernst Middendorp took charge of the side. It is a battle between third and third-bottom in the league, with four of the last five meetings between the sides ending in draws, three by 1-1 scorelines and the other 2-2. In fact, this version of Swallows have never beaten SuperSport in their short history. All four of The Birds’ wins this season have come at home, while SuperSport have yet to draw on the road (W4 L5).
Pirates find their scoring boots
Orlando Pirates have suddenly found their scoring boost in the last two games, netting seven times, almost as many as they had managed in the 15 previous matches (10)! Perhaps the work of new striker coach Scott Chickelday is paying off already. So it is probably not a good time for bottom side Marumo Gallants to face them as they head into the contest without a league win in seven matches (D2 L5). That includes losing their last two at home without scoring a goal. Pirates have won three of the previous six encounters, with the other three drawn. A good time for Gallants to make history as they lie stranded at the bottom of the league by two points.
Dismal Chiefs could match unwanted record
Can Kaizer Chiefs avoid the ignominy of a second run of four successive losses in under a year? They lost four league games on the bounce in April 2022, a record sequence for the team in their 53-year history, but they are in danger of repeating that only nine months on ahead of the ‘home’ game against Royal AM at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. Royal AM are not in good form themselves, but have beaten Chiefs in all three of their previous meetings and appear to have a hold on the Soweto giants.
