By The Numbers: PSL Midweek Review

Away teams dictated the narrative of the PSL’s midweek fixtures, securing a dominant share of the victories across the six game schedule. AmaZulu kicked off the away party with a 1-0 win over Golden Arrows, before Sekhukhune (1-0), Durban City (3-0) and Polokwane City (2-1) ensured none of the hosts won during the week. Elsewhere, Chippa (0-0 v Chiefs) and Siwelele (1-1 v Sundowns) were the other hosts, who at least got a point. By The Numbers is a statistical review of the midweek action, and the state of affairs in the PSL title race.

Pirates hold on to top spot

Orlando Pirates may not have played during the week, but they are top of the league standings following their 2-0 win over Durban City at the weekend. The result put them three points ahead of Sundowns on the table, and the latter’s failure to win on Wednesday ensured Pirates would end the gameweek on top. With no league football scheduled for the rest of December, Pirates are now guaranteed to end the year at the top of the table. It’s a dream position for the Bucaneers, who famously lost their opening two league games at the start of the season. But in the last 10 league games, they have been in title winning form, as the trendline shows (black solid line).

28 – points won by Pirates in the last 10 games (from 30), their best total in a 10-game spell in history

365 – days between Pirates topping the table in 2024 and next topping in 2025 (exactly one year)

21 – years since Pirates were top of the table at Christmas (2004)

Kaizer Chiefs stumble again

At the end of August, during the first international break of the season, Chiefs were level on points with Sekhukhune at the top of the table, second only by goal-difference. Four wins from five games, all without conceding had fans dreaming of a first title challenge in more than half a decade. Since then, Chiefs have picked up just two wins from their next seven games, and remained somewhat stagnant on the table.

The game against Chippa was a mirror for just how Chiefs’ season has unfolded. Defensively solid, Chiefs added another clean sheet to their count, limiting Chippa to just one shot on target. Yet, Chiefs could not make the most of their dominance in possession and chances. There were opportunities, including a golden one for Mdundo Vilakazi, but they just could not capitalize.

1.6 – xG for Chiefs here, compared to 0.2 for Chippa

77% – win probability for Chiefs, compared with 3% for Chippa (19.5% for the draw)

17 – shots for Chiefs in this game (their most in a game without scoring this season)

12 – shots for Chiefs in the 2nd half alone (their most in a game’s 2nd half without scoring)

Sundowns reliniquish the lead

10-man Sundowns returned home from Bloemfontein with a point following a rather lacklustre away performance. Trailing 1-0 to a first-half gift they offered the hosts, Sundowns had completed half the comeback job when Teboho Mokoena was sent off for a second yellow. Replays showed that the yellow was harsh, and clearly incorrect, but the damage was done.

The field tilt chart above shows how Sundowns (purple) kept pushing and attacking all game. Even with a man down, they tried to grab the lead late on while risking deadly counter attacks, but all to no avail. This result, coupled with Pirates’ win on the weekend, means the Brazilians will find themselves in unfamiliar territory come Christmas.

5 – consecutive years that Sundowns have been top at Christmas, a PSL record

2019 – The last time Sundowns were not first at Christmas

7 – league games played by Sundowns since 17 September

1 – clean sheet for Sundowns in that time