The second legs of the two MTN8 semi-finals take place this weekend. Here is a look ahead to the two games.
Bloemfontein Celtic vs. Supersport United
This is the most delicately poised of the two semi-final matches with the first leg of the tie ending in a 1-1 draw. The mind games have been fun in this one, with SuperSport being pegged as favorites as they are the defending champions while trying to pin that favorites tag on Bloem Celtic as the home side for this return leg.
One thing to note for bettors looking to make a play on this one is the unusually large number of draws in contests between the two sides. 33 of the 58 games played between the two have ended in a draw. This includes both league games in the 2019-20 season, the first leg of this contest, and seven of the last nine games in all competitions. Go with the tends and take a draw here at 1.97 with BetXChange. If you want to bet either team to win, then do so with a one-goal victory margin in either direction as history suggests this will be a tight contest.
Kaizer Chiefs vs. Orlando Pirates FC
While the other game is delicately poised, this is a game where the first goal will decide if we have a contest to see who makes the final or if it will be a match played at exhibition pace from that point forwards. It is Kaizer Chiefs that desperately need to score first in the Soweto derby, trailing as they are 3-0 from the first leg of the tie. A goal by the home team will rattle the visitors and likely lead to an onslaught on their goal, with an early Orlando Pirates goal will make it a 4-0 contest and put the game to bed almost immediately.
One aspect that will be in favor of Kaizer Chiefs is that Orlando Pirates look set to be without up to three key players for the contest. While they would like to name an unchanged side from the one that was so dominant in the first leg, stand-in head coach Fadlu Davids will likely be missing a couple of key pieces going forward in attacking midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch and Terrence Dzvukamanja. Defender Thulani Hlatshwayo is also a doubt after missing the game against Bloem Celtic between the two MTN8 cup clashes.
This is a tricky one to call from a betting perspective as the 3-0 lead from the first leg will make the two teams approach the match in a different way to normal. Orlando Pirates know that they can lose the clash on the pitch and still go through to the next round, which means that Kaizer Chiefs – at home no less – are interesting value at 1.70 with BetXChange. That is where my money would go, but be aware that an early goal for Orlando Pirates could easily see Kaizer Chiefs fall back into their shell knowing that the game is out of reach.
