Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Amakhosi have lost three of their last four matches. Pirates have been victorious in five of the last six Soweto Derbies.

Kaizer Chiefs Form

Chiefs have lost three of their last four matches in all competitions. These losses saw them knocked out of the CAF Confederations Cup and the Nedbank Cup. They had lost just once in 15 matches before this drop in results. They had won four successive matches by 1-0 scorelines and had kept six clean sheets in a row.

Chiefs lost 2-1 away to Stellenbosch in the Nedbank Cup round of 32. After a 2-1 home win in the CAF Confederations Cup vs Al Masry put them a point from qualification. They went to Cairo and lost 2-1 away to Zamalek to crash out in the Group Stages. In midweek, they surrendered a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 at home to Stellenbosch in the league.

Kaizer Chiefs Team News

Kaizer Chiefs have an injury doubt over Inacio Miguel at centre back. The co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalili Ben Youssef need him back to shore up a leaky defence. Rushwin Dortley remains out injured but Thabiso Monyane will be recalled.

Thabo Cele is fit in midfield after an injury. Sibongiseni Mthethwa is back in training but this match may come too soon. Bradley Cross is doubtful at left back and George Matlou is injured. Ethan Chislett could keep his place in the number ten role.

Kaizer Chiefs Motivation

Chiefs are in a rough spell. They also have a poor league record of late in this clash.

A draw would be a decent result to stop the rot. They are expected to be compact and never open up too much to Bucs’ speed on the break.

Orlando Pirates Form

Pirates lost their opening two league matches, before a run of 12 wins and two draws in their next 14 matches. They dropped to second in the table in midweek on goals scored, and have suffered two damaging results in a row. They beat Magesi 2-0 at home with 3.33 xG and won 2-0 at AmaZulu with an 18-3 shot count in their favour.

A 4-1 Nedbank Cup win over TTM was followed by a 3-0 PSL win over Marumo Gallants. Bucs lost 2-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns in a crunch match in the title race. That setback was followed by a defeat on penalties to First Division side Casric Stars, following a 0-0 draw in the Nedbank Cup.

Orlando Pirates Team News

Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will hope that striker Evidence Makgopa is fit to return for this match. Central midfielders Thalente Mbatha and Kabelo Dlamini are ruled out.

Sipho Mbule will need a late fitness test. Pirates may recall Tshepang Moremi and Deano Van Rooyen to the XI from the last league match.

Orlando Pirates Motivation

Pirates need a win from this match. They will take confidence from their strong recent record in this fixture.

Ouaddou’s side will dominate possession and look to play at a high tempo.

Key Stats

• Kaizer Chiefs have lost 3 of their last 4 matches
• Kaizer Chiefs have conceded in their last 4 matches (7 goals leaked)
• Chiefs have lost 5 of the last 6 Soweto Derbies
• Pirates have won 12 of their last 15 PSL matches
• Orlando Pirates have kept 9 clean sheets in their last 11 matches

Verdict

Bucs need a win and tend to beat Chiefs. I’m backing Pirates to edge past Amakhosi with a clean sheet.

Best Bet: Orlando Pirates win at 2.50

Value Bet: Orlando Pirates win to zero at 3.55