Betting Notebook: PSL Matchday 16

The PSL league season reaches the halfway mark this weekend, with five games lined up from Friday until Sunday. On Friday night, Richards Bay will take on Siwelele in a mid-table clash to get things rolling. Then on Saturday, Orbit College welcomes bottom of the table Chippa United, while Sekhukhune host title challengers Orlando Pirates at the same time in the afternoon. On Sunday, KZN takes the centre stage with AmaZulu and Durban City hosting TS Galaxy and Polokwane Cit,y respectively. Our Betting Notebook brings you statistical context to the weekend action.

Sekhukhune (4th) v Orlando Pirates (2nd)

Vengeance will be on the minds of Orlando Pirates when they travel to Sekhukhune this weekend. The Bucaneers lost against Sekhukhune early in the season, but the teams have followed somewhat different paths since then. Pirates have morphed into league title pacesetters, and some peoples’ favourites for the title. Sekhukhune, meanwhile, have stumbled of late, winning just one of eight games across all competitions. The flaws of those around them mean they’re still sitting comfortably in 4th, but bookmakers aren’t buying that position, with a 21% implied probability of victory for them compared to Pirates’ 55%.

1 – Orlando Pirates have lost just one of their last 21 games across competitions (P21 W16 D4 L1)

You can bet on an Orlando Pirates win

You can bet on Over 2.5 goals

AmaZulu (6th) v TS Galaxy (5th)

Like most of the division, inconsistent results and performances have been a hallmark for these teams. Usuthu may have won their last game before the AFCON break, but this worrying trend may continue – they have won consecutive games just once all season. Likewise, TS Galaxy looked like they were back to their best during the week, but they have not won consecutive games since August either. Separated by just goal difference on the table, they meet as equals on Saturday, but AmaZulu (2.3/1) are slightly favoured for the win over The Rockets (3/1). Yet, the head-to-head record says something else.

10 – This is the 10th game between the two teams since 2022, and AmaZulu have won just once, drawing twice and losing the other six (all comps).

You can bet on a draw or AmaZulu win

You can bet on both teams to score

Durban City (8th) v Polokwane City (7th)

Wins away to AmaZulu and Stellenbosch late last year mean Polokwane City travel to face Durban City on the back of consecutive away wins. Phuti Mohafe’s side will be looking to achieve something Polokwane have done only once before in their PSL history. November 2014 is the last and only time they’ve ever won three away league games in a row.

The reverse fixture ended 0-0, but Gavin Hunt was still at Durban City then – the question is how will the Durbanites cope after his departure. With 11 goals to their name, Polokwane are the lowest scoring team in the top-half of the table, another factor that lends itself to this being a low scoring contest.

8 – Only Kaizer Chiefs (10) have more clean sheets than Durban City (8) in the league this season.

You can bet on Under 2.5 goals

You can bet on a draw