Betting Notebook: Nedbank Cup Round of 32

The magic of the Cup will be in full swing this weekend, as teams across the national football pyramid battle it out in the Nedbank Cup Round of 32. Defending champions Kaizer Chiefs were knocked out by a gutsy Stellenbosch performance during the week, while Sundowns did the job against lower division Gomora United on a night for home wins. Games that stand out this weekend are Durban City v Chippa United, TTM v Orlando Pirates and Golden Arrows v Orbit College on Saturday. TS Galaxy hosts Marumo Gallants on Sunday, and our betting notebook helps you make sense of the action.

Friday: Durban City v Chippa United

Durban City will kick off the festival with an all top-flight clash against Chippa United on Friday night. The two teams met only a week ago in the league, so there is some familiarity here. Chippa won 2-0, but the xG timeline below shows how close the two teams were in terms of the quality of their chances.

Wec like the look of Durban City’s home form too – they have been solid at home all season. This is their 10th home game of the campaign, and they’ve lost only to Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. Coach Badela will also have a bone to pick against a club that employed him briefly this season, before an unceremonius departure.

Team to progress: Durban City

Value bet: Under 2.5 goals

Saturday: TTM v Orlando Pirates

Last season’s losing finalists will be looking to go one step better this season and win the tournament. The Buccaneers have already won the MTN8 and Carling Knockout cups this season, and can complete a never-before-done domestic treble with the Nedbank Cup. The game, which has been moved to Durban, looks like a mismatch on paper. Pirates are the in-form team in the top-flight, and favourites for the Premiership crown. They are unbeaten in 12 games, and look well placed for Lucky Number 13. Since losing away to TTM in August, Pirates have remained unbeaten away from home in domestic competition (W7 D3), and it is hard to see how that run ends here.

Team to progress: Orlando Pirates

Value bet: Over 2.5 goals

Saturday: Golden Arrows v Orbit College

Two struggling top-flight teams lock horns on Sunday evening, both looking to arrest bad runs of form. Golden Arrows are winless in six games, and their home form has tanked since November. They lost just one of their first eight home games of the season, but have lost each of the last three. On the other hand, Magesi are also winless in six games, but for them, their away form hasn’t taken off at all this term. They’ve won just once on the road all season, drawing once and losing six, including a 3-0 loss to the same Arrows, their joint-biggest defeat of the campaign.

Team to progress: Golden Arrows

Value bet: Under 2.5 goals

Sunday: TS Galaxy v Marumo Gallants

More drama is expected when TS Galaxy and Marumo Gallants face off on Sunday afternoon. Gallants have made a habit of performing well in Cup competitions lately, and were minutes away from taking the Carling Cup final to penalties against Pirates in December. Their form since then has taken a hit, however, with three consecutive losses since the league restarted. Worryingly, they are yet to score a goal this year. Despite the Cup pedigree Marumo possesses, TS Galaxy have won this title before, famously beating Kaizer Chiefs in the 2019 final. Marumo’s away form has us leaning towards the home team to progress here. Since beating Richards Bay away from home in their first game of the season, Gallants have not tasted victory in an away game (D4 L7).

Team to progress: TS Galaxy

Value bet: Both teams to score