Absa PSL: Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates
Venue: FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Date: Saturday, November 9, 2019
BetXchange Odds:
Form
The Chiefs are looking for a second straight win in the Soweto derby as they take on the Orlando Pirates at the massive FNB Stadium on Saturday. After knocking the Pirates out of the Telkom Knockout at the quarter-final stage, the Chiefs will be looking to inflict a league defeat on the Buccaneers.
The cup game was decided by a penalty shootout that went in the favour of Amakhosi after the match finished as a 2-2 draw. The match had a little bit of everything, with it being tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes. There were two further goals in extra time – with Gabadinho Mhango bringing the Pirates back level in the 100th minute – but in the end, it was a win that saw the Kaizer Chiefs progress.
The Chiefs continued their solid form in midweek as they were able to down Chippa United 2-0. The Pirates, on the other hand, were unable to find the net as they played out a 0-0 draw with Maritzburg United. The Chiefs have been the best team in the PSL so far this season and they sit top of the log and are five points clear of the chasing pack.
Kaizer Chiefs
The Chiefs have been winning games because their defensive structure has been so solid. It is also telling that the Chiefs were able to rest some of their key players – all who will be expected to be back in the team on Saturday – for their midweek win over Chippa United. It is that type of cohesiveness and squad depth that has allowed Amakhosi to be so impressive so far this season.
Both Chiefs’ goals in midweek came from Dumisani Zuma and he will obviously be a player to watch on Saturday as he is bang in-form.
Orlando Pirates
The Pirates will be without their talismanic captain Happy Jele after he was sent off in the game against Maritzburg United. This will mean a reshuffle as Jele is suspended for this battle of Soweto rivals. The 32-year-old is a vital cog in the Bucs’ defence and they will struggle to replace both his skill and his leadership in terms of marshaling the backline.
Jele is not the only Pirates player who is suspended for this clash. They will also be without Mthokozisi Dube who will be sitting out as he serves the final game of his two-game suspension for picking up a red card against the Chiefs last weekend.
Best Bets
The Chiefs are simply in better form than their rivals right now. While the game a week ago ended in a draw, it is telling that the Pirates haven’t been able to score with any kind of consistency as of late. That gives the Chiefs – a team that can both score and defend – the upper hand here. Take the Chiefs to win this game at 1.93 with BetXchange. The score of 2-0 to the Chiefs at 11.83 is also worth thinking about as a final score prediction.
