Betting Notebook: Midweek football

League leaders Orlando Pirates lock horns with AmaZulu on Tuesday evening in the only league game scheduled for the week, looking to reclaim top spot to themselves. On Wednesday, PSL’s CAF representatives will be involved in some early Nedbank Cup action. Sundowns host Gomoroa United in a Nedbank Cup Last 32 tie. At the same time, Kaizer Chiefs will kick off away in Cape Town against Stellenbosch FC. Our Betting Notebook lays it all in context.

Tuesday: AmaZulu v Orlando Pirates

Both teams enjoyed good wins last weekend but Pirates’ win grabbed plenty of headlines because it extended their home winning record to 10 in a row. Yet, they travel to face AmaZulu, who have a similarly good record at home. Only Sundowns (19) have won more points at home than Pirates and AmaZulu (both 18). As a coach, Arthur Zwane also enjoys a decent record against the Buccaneers. In four meetings, he’s only lost once, winning twice and drawing the other. However, history weighs heavily against his team this time, in what is slowly turning out to be a bogey fixture for Usuthu.

21 – Orlando Pirates are unbeaten in 21 games against AmaZulu (W12 D9 all comps since August 2013) – currently their longest unbeaten run against any PSL opponent.

You can bet on a Pirates win or draw

You can be on Under 2.5 goals

Wednesday: Sundowns v Gomora

Sundowns will be looking to bounce back from their CAF defeat when they turn to Nedbank Cup action against Gomora during the week. Unlike their away games, Pretoria has been a happy hunting ground for them this season, with the Brazilians unbeaten at home in all competitions. They’ve won nine of 13 at home, drawing four. As they welcome non top-flight opposition, it will take a very brave punter to go against the win. This will be the 34th time Sundowns face non-top-flight opposition in the competition (BobSave/ABSA/Nedbank) – more than any other top-flight side in the PSL.

31/33 – Sundowns have progressed in 31 of their 33 ties against lower division teams, by an aggregate score of 99-11.

Team to progress: Sundowns

Value bet: Sundowns to score Over 3.5 goals

Wednesday: Stellenbosch v Kaizer Chiefs

In-form Kaizer Chiefs are in Cape Town this week to face a Stellenbosch side still figuring out life under Gavin Hunt. Back-to-back defeats to CR Belouizdad will have stung Hunt, especially the 3-0 defeat at home this past weekend. Three days later, he must pick up his troops and rally them to face a Chiefs side that eliminated them from this same tournament last season. Around this time a year ago, Hunt guided SuperSport to a 4-1 win over Chiefs. But a lot has changed at Chiefs since then, and he is at a club that has struggled recently to lay a hand on Amakhosi.

1 – Stellenbosch have won just one of their last 10 games against Chiefs, drawing two and losing the other seven.

Team to progress: Kaizer Chiefs

Value bet: Under 2.5 goals