Betting Notebook: PSL Matchday 13

Domestic football returns to our screens this weekend, following a two-week hiatus owing to the international break. With a variety of sides involved in continental interclub competition, the PSL has just four games lined up over the weekend. Yet, it’s more than enough to whet the appetite for the local football lover. On Saturday, AmaZulu host Siwelele in the afternoon, before Marumo Gallants face Sekhukhune later in the evening. Then on Sunday, TS Galaxy will play host to Golden Arrows before Richards Bay and Durban City clash in a KZN derby later on. Our Betting Notebook brings some statistical context ahead of the weekend.

AmaZulu (6th) v Siwelele (10th)

Recent results suggest opposite trajectories for this one. Siwelele come into this game on the back of their first away win of the season (2-0 v Stellenbosch). AmaZulu, meanwhile, lost their first home league game of the season the last time out (1-0 v Polokwane City). Whether both are anomalies or the beginning of genuine turnarounds could be answered this Saturday. Odds are leaning towards a return to default settings though, with AmaZulu (47% implied win probability) favoured to get the points over Siwelele (29%). No team has created more big chances than AmaZulu this season (22), somewhat highlighting their attacking potency.

1 – Siwelele have been involved in the fewest ‘both teams to score’ fixtures in the division – just one of their games has seen both sides find the net.

You can bet on an AmaZulu win/draw

You can bet NO on both teams scoring

Marumo Gallants (12th) v Sekhukhune (4th)

Sekhukhune need a win to ease the pressure somewhat on Eric Tinkler this weekend. The team started the season like a house on fire, and led the league just four games ago. However, a run of five games without a win (including elimination from the Cup) marks Tinkler’s longest ever winless streak at the club. What looked like a genuine title charge just over a month ago now feels like a battle to regain momentum. Sekhukhune (39% implied win probability) are made slight favourites, by the bookmakers. Marumo (36%) aren’t too far behind, driven by their unbeaten home record. But head-to-head is against them here.

¾ – Sekhukhune have lost just one of the last five meetings between the sides (W3 D1)

You can bet on a Marumo Gallants win/draw

You can bet on less than 2.5 goals

TS Galaxy (8th) v Golden Arrows (9th)

Just one month after facing off in the Carling Cup, Golden Arrows and TS Galaxy lock horns once again. This time, a Top8 league position is at stake, with the two teams level on points. It was Arrows who progressed in the Cup clash, so the motivation for Galaxy will be clear – avenging that defeat. If the odds are anything to go by, it looks likely to be a weekend of sweet revenge, the hosts boast a 56% chance of victory that dwarfs the visitors’ 24%. Of the four matches scheduled for this weekend, Arrows have the longest shots for a win. That’s partly down to their head-to-head record, havin won just once in 10 matches v Galaxy (D4 L5 in four years). Partly, it’s also due to their away form.

10 – Arrows have won just one of the 11 away games played under Manqoba Mngqithi, drawing four and losing the other six.

You can bet on both teams to score

You can bet on a Galaxy win