Talking points ahead of weekend DStv Premiership action

It will be another bumper round of action in the DStv Premiership, including the second Tshwane Derby in a week as SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns clash again.

We round up the talking points ahead of another crucial series of fixtures.

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN…

It will be round two between SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns when the sides clash in the league on Friday, just days after the latter claimed a 2-0 win in the MTN8 quarterfinals.

That was no routine win and it took until the 80th minute for Sundowns to make a breakthrough as their new Chilean import Marcelo Allende made it two goals in as many games before Abubeker Nasir added a late second.

SuperSport have not made the best of starts to the new season and have a single win in their five leagues games to date, but you feel a point would be most welcome out of this contest.

Sundowns will move back to the top of the table – for 24 hours at least – with a draw but they will be hoping for much more having averaged two goals per game in their six clashes in all competition this season.

By contrast, SuperSport have scored only three in five and rely heavily on defensive structure and quick counter-attacks to keep opponents at bay.

CHIEFS FACE IN-FORM USUTHU

Kaizer Chiefs will seek to get back to winning ways when they host AmaZulu on Saturday, an opponent they have not beaten in their last three meetings.

The AmaKhosi have won just two of their six games in all competitions this campaign but did at least squeeze past Stellenbosch FC on penalties in the MTN8 quarterfinals last weekend to ease the pressure on rookie coach Arthur Zwane.

Usuthu have only three wins in their last 30 games against Chiefs but drew both games last season 1-1 and before that claimed a 2-1 success at FNB Stadium, so can count on some good recent memories.

All three of those losses for Chiefs were at home, which will give AmaZulu further cause for optimism.

That is also true as they have been mostly excellent this season, winning four of their last five games in all competitions, the only blemish a 1-0 home loss to struggling Lamontville Golden Arrows.

LETSSOALO TO FACE FORMER EMPLOYERS

The panic may not have quite set in yet, but Royal AM owner Shawn Mkhize has let it be known she is not happy with the teams start to the new campaign as they prepare to face Sekhukhune United and old striker Victor Letsoalo on Saturday.

Royal AM won their first two games of the season, but since then have lost three of the next five and were beaten in the MTN8 quarterfinals by Orlando Pirates last time out.

They sold last season’s club top scorer Letsoalo to Sekhukhune in a surprise move framed around the player’s wish to return to the Limpopo province, and that decision could well come back to bite them.

Letsoalo may have only netted once so far this campaign, but he will be desperate to get one over his former employers and will know all the weaknesses at the back for Royal AM.

The co-coaching trio at Royal AM, Dan Malesela, Khabo Zondo and Abram Nteo will be very wary of another loss this weekend …

CITY HEADING INTO CRISIS MODE

Cape Town City have had a fairly disastrous start to the season by their own standards and now face a side that is unbeaten and who have not conceded a goal at all in the form of TS Galaxy.

City have one win in seven (D2 L4) and were beaten in the MTN8 quarterfinals at home by AmaZulu. They have also lost their last three away trips dating back to last season.

Three of Galaxy’s five games have ended in 0-0 draws, including their last two games that were away at Golden arrows and Chippa United.

City have looming competition in the CAF Champions League and the last thing coach Eric Tinkler wants is to be worrying about domestic form, but it is a real concern.

Their front two of Darwin Gonzalez and Khaniysa Mayo have played well though and could be the ones to finally breach the Galaxy defence.

PIRATES AIM FOR ANOTHER KZN RAID

Top side Orlando Pirates take their improved form to Maritzburg United, who have had the opposite kind of start to the campaign and are in need of wins.

The Buccaneers have won four of their first seven (D2 L1) in all competitions and finally managed to score twice in a game at Royal AM last weekend.

They are creating lots of chances and once their strikers find their scoring boots, they look as they will be flying. That is because they don’t give much away at the back.

They will be missing suspended midfielder Goodman Mosele, who was red-carded last time out. It is a shame as he has been in superb form for them this campaign.

Pirates have won five of the last six against Maritzburg (D1) and have not lost to The Team of Choice since 2016.