Valentine’s Day Weekend/PSL Matchday18

After a week of Nedbank Cup action, PSL league football returns with six games in store, kicking off with a double header on Friday night. Durban City v TS Galaxy and Magesi v Golden Arrows get things going, before Orlando Pirates, Polokwane City and Chippa United host Marumo Gallants, Siwelele and Richards Bay respectively the next day. On Sunday, struggling Orbit College traveled to Polokwane to face Sekhukhune. We’ve picked one game a day for our Betting Notebook.

Friday: Durban City v TS Galaxy

Fresh off releasing their head coach Sinethemba Badela, Durban City will host TS Galaxy on Friday night. The young coach had kicked off his stint decently with a win, draw and loss, but things took a turn when he was released after just six weeks. The two teams have impressed in the league this season, and seem like genuine candidates for a Top8 spot. Oddly, they met a year ago this weekend in the Nedbank Cup, with Durban City progressing then. Bookmakers give them a higher chance of winning (just over 40%), but at 29%, the away (TS Galaxy) win doesnt look too out of place. Until you remember how, like most PSL teams, they seem to struggle in away games.

8 – Galaxy are winless in eight away games in regulation time (D4 L4)

You can bet on Durban City win or draw

You can bet on Under 2.5 goals

Saturday: Pirates v Marumo Gallants

When looking ahead to Pirates v Marumo Gallants, it is tempting to revisit their reverse fixture in the opening week of the season. Pirates suffered a late 2-1 defeat to Gallants that left fans questioning if their forthcoming season would yield any fruit. Likewise, Gallants fans were left hopeful. Yet, the teams have taken massively different trajectories since, with Pirates setting the pace at the top and Gallants sliding down steadily. Gallants are winless in 10 and have lost each of the last five, including a loss to Pirates in the Carling Knockout final. Without a clean sheet in the league, they now face the unenviable task of stopping a side primed for PSL history.

10 – Pirates have won 10 home games in a row (all comps), and can set a new PSL record for consecutive home wins with a win here.

You can bet on a Pirates win

You can bet on Over 1.5 goals

Sunday: Orbit College v Sekhukhune

When it comes to Sunday, the odds are overwhelmingly in Sekhukhune’s favour. Eric Tinkler’s side may still harbour ambitions of a CAF/Top3 place, and they have every right to believe. They are only one point behind the final CAF position (3rd), and their form has slightly picked up of late. Back-to-back wins in league and Cup (with clean sheets) have steadied a somewhat rocky ship. It means they also come into a game they are expected to win with confidence. Based on bookmakers, they’ve been given a 60% implied probability of victory. A lot of that has to do with the form of the visiting team, who are winless in their last seven games.

10 – This is Otbit’s 10th away game of the season (all comps), and they have won just one (D1 L7)

You can bet on a Sekhukhune win

You can bet on Under 2.5 goals