Betway Premiership in midweek and we pick out a few bets from the weekend coupon including Kaizer Chiefs v Polokwane City
Sundowns 3/10 Draw 39/10 Amazulu 10/1
Mamelodi Sundowns had to settle for a point from their opening game away to Chippa on Saturday. They led 1-0 through Sales and after Chippa equalized midway the second period Downs pushed to regain the lead but couldn't find a way through.
Downs finished 12 points clear of Pirates at the top of the log last season and had the title wrapped up long before the end of the campaign. They performed with great credit in the Club World Cup in the USA last month and last weekend they demolished Richards Bay 4-0 in the MTN8.
Amazulu made a winning start to their campaign as they edged out Orbit Collage 1-0. An own goal settled the issue and Amazulu became 1 of 6 sides to take maximum points from their Betway Premiership opener. Amazulu had earlier bowed out of the MTN8 at the first hurdle, losing 3-2 away to Stellenbosch in extra time.
Verdict
Downs draw at Chippa was something of a coupon booster as they had looked very inch banker material. They should bounce back but for a bet I'm going with 2-3 goals in total.
Bet: Goal range 2-3 at even money with Betway
Marumo Gallants 54/10 Draw 5/2 Orlando Pirates 6/10
Gallants are another side looking to make it 2 wins from 2. They were 2-1 winners away to Richards Bay at the weekend despite having a man sent off on 38 minutes. Gallants were 1-0 up inside 3 minutes, held the lead until the 55th minute and then somehow found the winner in the first minute of injury time.
Arguably the biggest shock of the opening round saw Pirates go down 1-0 at home to Sekhukhune in Orlando on Saturday. The only goal of the game came early in the second half, Pirates hit the woodwork more than once but were unable to find a way through. The Bucs were 2-0 winners at home to Polokwane in the MTN8 just over a week ago whilst last season won 10 of 14 league games, drawing 2 and losing 2. They beat Gallants 8-1 in Orlando but lost the return 2-0.
Verdict
That was a good effort from the 10 men of Gallants at the weekend but this will be much tougher with Pirates looking to bounce back from a surprise defeat. I'm with Pirates to edge this match by a single goal margin.
Bet: Winning Margin, Pirates by 1 goal exactly at 2.65/1 at Betway
Kaizer Chiefs 8/10 Draw 41/20 Polokwane City 44/10
Chiefs began their campaign away to Stellenbosch on Sunday and they came away from Athlone with a 2-0 win. After finishing ninth last season a good start was seen as essential and their task was made easier when Stellies were reduced to 10 men after just 13 minutes. Minutes later Ngcobo gave Chiefs the lead and as the home side went in search of an equalizer Chiefs wrapped out the points with a Lilepo penalty deep into injury time.
Polokwane played out a 0-0 draw at home to Magesi on Saturday in a game of very few clear cut chances. They were also in action in the MTN8 at the start of the month when they lost 2-0 away to Pirates.
Verdict
Chiefs are hoping to have some of their new players available, either for this game or the next. They should take plenty from the win at Stellies but it's still way to early to judge their chances of being involved in the title race. Meanwhile Polokwane are still waiting to register a goal after the MTN8 defeat and the stalemate against Magesi.
After a win on the road Chiefs need to follow up in front of the home faithful. I'm not getting carried away by the result on the opening weekend but it's an opportunity for the hosts to find a couple of goals.
Bet: Kaizer Chiefs total goals over 1.5 at 14/10 with Betway
Note, odds are subject to change
