The final match in the Betway Premiership before the October international break sees Kaizer Chiefs host AmaZulu in Johannesburg. Domestic league football fans need to watch this clash, with the next game on the fixture list not taking place until Richards Bay hosts Orbit College on October 17.
The combination of the first round of the Telkom Knockout leading directly into the two-week break makes this match important for both sides. It is always advantageous to head into a prolonged break from league play with a win, and both sides will be thinking they can get something out of it if the breaks go their way at FNB Stadium.
Here is a look ahead to each team’s eighth match of the season.
Kaizer Chiefs vs AmaZulu Venue: FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Kaizer Chiefs vs AmaZulu Date: Wednesday, October 1
Kaizer Chiefs vs AmaZulu Odds:
History
There are a pair of midweek fixtures this week as Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs look to pick up some of the matches they have missed due to their participation in CAF continental competitions this season. AmaKhosi is playing in the CAF Confederation Cup, where, over the last two Saturdays, they contested a two-leg First preliminary round affair against Kabuscorp.
The South African powerhouse didn’t have this one all their own way against their less fancied opponents from Angola. The Luandan-based outfit held serve at home, beating AmaKhosi 1-0 in the first leg. They pulled the tie level in the 40th minutes of the second leg thanks to a Makabi Lilepo goal, but they couldn’t push on from that point to secure a victory in normal time. A nervy win on penalties was hardly the best way to go into this match against Usuthu.
In terms of this match, there isn’t much to separate the two teams on the log. The Chiefs are in fifth place with 14 points from seven games, while AmaZulu are in ninth with 11 points from the same number of games. They also have the same form over their last five league matches, with each team having eight points from two wins, two draws, and one defeat.
Kaizer Chiefs
This is a game that the Phefeni Glamour Boys will want to win, but there are questions about their mental and physical load going into it. They played four games in 11 days between September 16 and September 27, with a trip to Angola in the middle of that run.
The team will still be without Thabiso Monyane, Paseka Mako, and Given Msimango for this midweek date. The coaching staff hopes that some of their injured stars are on the road to recovery and will be available starting in mid-October.
AmaZulu
AmaZulu doesn’t score enough goals. They have only scored seven times in seven matches, meaning that their defense has to work every single matchday if they are going to grind out a result. They also aren’t good away from home, with just two points picked up from their four away fixtures, thanks to two draws and two defeats.
It is a weird situation, with head coach Arthur Zwane looking for his team to play an exciting, explosive brand of attacking football. They have struggled in the final third this season, and they need their final ball and late-move decision-making to improve if they want to move up the table.
Best Bets
The last five matches between these two have seen a pair of wins for each team and one draw. A bet builder of Chiefs to win with under 2.5 goals pays at 54/25.
