Orlando Pirates are back in Beyway Premiership action on Tuesday night as they face TS Galaxy in league play. The Buccaneers have had a disrupted start to their PSL season, with games in the CAF Champions League causing scheduling conflicts the past two weekends.
A 7-0 aggregate whitewash of Lioli in the First preliminary round of that competition has made it worth it. Still, they will be happy to get another couple of Betway matches in before the October international break.
Here is a look ahead at their match against The Rockets.
Orlando Pirates VS TS Galaxy Venue: Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg
Orlando Pirates VS TS Galaxy Date: Tuesday, September 30
Orlando Pirates VS TS Galaxy Odds:
History
When ot comes to early-season form, there isn’t much to pick between these two squads. In a league where Mamelodi Sundowns have already played 10 matches, Pirates will be playing their seventh game here, and The Rockets their eighth. That they both sit in the upper half of the table is a testament to how well they have played in those games.
TS Galaxy is the most in-form team in the competition. They have picked up 12 points from their last five matches, with four wins and a draw over that span. This was quite a turnaround in form, given that they lost to both Durban City and Sekhukhune United in their first two games of the campaign.
The wins have also been by impressive scorelines. They include a 4-1 victory away at Chippa United and a 3-1 win over Orbit College on the road, even though The Rockets finished the match with 10 men.
Orland Pirates are one point and two places behind TSG in eighth place on the log. They have yet to draw a game all season, winning four and losing two of their six matches. They also lost their first two Beyway matches, going down at the hands of Sekhukhune United and Gallants while working their way to a MTN8 Cup win. Their form has improved impressively since then, and the Buccaneers are undefeated in nine matches in all comps.
Orlando Pirates
Pirates have not always been clinical this season, but they have shown a steely ability to grind out a result when needed. This was seen in their last Premiership match, a 1-0 win on the road against Siwelele FC. This was a perfect trap game in the middle of their matches to secure progress in the CAF Champions League. They could easily have overlooked this one, but their strength in depth allowed enough rotation of quality players to see them over the line.
TS Galaxy
TS Galaxy have been good on their travels, winning two and drawing one of their four away matches to date. They have been outstanding at picking up goals early in matches to set the tone, and that was the case last time out against AmaZulu when Seluleko Mahlambi scored after just 12 minutes to spark a 3-1 win.
They are a high-pressure, transition monster, and if the Pirates aren’t locked in on this one, an upset could be on the cards.
Best Bets
I love both teams to score here at 33/20, as TSG has the talent and attacking intent to really attack the Buccaneers’ backline. A Bet Builder of Pirates to win, both teams to score, and first half draw or away pays 46/5.
