Absa Premiership

The league title race looks to be going down to the wire if the teams can get back onto the pitch in the 2019/20 season, with five main contenders left for the coveted piece of silverware. There are plenty of permutations and unknowns, not least the forma

A detailed look at the Absa Premiership title run-in and just who is tipped to lift the trophy come the end of the season.

The coronavirus brought a pause to what was shaping up to be an intriguing final few months of the season, with Kaizer Chiefs seeing their once massive lead cut down to next to nothing before the break.

Chiefs at one stage held a 10-point advantage in the title race, but have been reeled in by Mamelodi Sundowns and a stuttering chasing pack who could yet threaten the top two if they can get a run going in the final weeks of the campaign.

At this stage it is difficult to make predictions given that the format of the remainder of the season is unclear.

Will games be played over just a few weeks in a central location, or will teams be able to travel and host home matches?

Will the fixture list be rejigged, meaning some teams might have a horror run of games and a tough finish in their last few matches, while others might benefit from have their most difficult games spaced out, allowing them to build momentum.

How sharp will the match officials be after some much time on the sidelines and what role will this play in deciding the destiny of the title?

Will travel inland by bus disadvantage coastal teams? Will the frenetic pace of games that come thick and fast effect some teams more than others?

And perhaps the biggest question, how will the extended break, where players have had to train at home on their own, leave the conditioning of many players, will this be a great leveler between the top teams and those who have battled in the campaign.

Will it be a case that the fittest teams are the ones who ultimately shine in this period?

All those will be key factors in determining the fortunes of the sides, and more especially the fatigue placed on players and the ability of the squads to maintain a high level if they have to play nine games in three weeks having come off no football for three months.

We can only assess what we know, and that is for now Chiefs are in the driving seat in the title challenge, but face a difficult run-in with the 1-0 defeat to lowly AmaZulu before the break still stinging for fans.

Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane will relish the challenge of catching Chiefs and condemning them to more silverware misery in what is their 50th year.