THIS WEEK WE TAKE A LOOK AT SOME EXCITING ACTION AROUND THE WORLD. OUR GUEST PREDICTOR IS FORMER AMAZULU MIDFIELDER, THABO MABASO. WE HAVE INCLUDED ALL THE RELEVANT TIPS TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR BETTING TIPS.

MATCH OF THE WEEK ORLANDO PIRATES V KAIZER CHIEFS (PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE)

League Rankings: Orlando Pirates 2nd & Kaizer Chiefs 3rd

Useful facts: They don’t come any bigger than Orlando Pirates v Kaizer Chiefs on a Saturday afternoon at the iconic FNB Stadium. What’s more, the two Soweto giants come into this epic clash on the back of victories in the Telkom Knockout, so the confidence will be sky-high in both camps, although past results count for little to nothing in this one. Giovanni Solinas will pin his hopes on Khama Billiat, who did not take part in Sunday’s penalty shootout win over Black Leopards due to injury, while for the Buccaneers, the in-form Vincent Pule will look to be a thorn in the side of Amakhosi. As it stands, both teams are blessed with ball-playing midfielders, which should see a lot of chances created on the day, and ultimately, a goal or two scored. The bragging rights are there for the taking in this sold-out affair!

Thabo Mabaso: Pirates win Soccer 6 Pool: Match 2 Soccer 6 Pool 26 October S6 V2 P1

MAINZ V BAYERN MUNICH (BUNDESLIGA)

League Rankings: Mainz 14th & Bayern Munich 1st

Useful facts: The long-standing dominant force in German football, Bayern Munich, have not had quite the perfect start to the season and lie in fourth place on the log standings after eight rounds of fixtures. Next up on The Bavarians’ mission to move up the standings is Mainz, who are placed in the bottom half of the table after two wins, three draws and three losses. The visitors are the overwhelming favourites in this encounter. The last time the two teams met, which was in February, Bayern won 2-0, also away from home.

Thabo Mabaso: Bayern Munich win Soccer 6 Pool: Match 1 Soccer 6 Pool 26 October S6 V2 P1

POLOKWANE CITY V MARITZBURG UNITED (PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE)

League Rankings: Polokwane City 6th & Maritzburg United 13th

Useful facts: It’s all about bouncing back for Polokwane City, who stretched SuperSport United all the way to the penalty shootout in the Telkom Knockout Last 16 last weekend. Just as well, they have been on the up in the league in recent times, culminating in their current position in the standings (sixth), and will not want to drop the ball so to speak. However, in Maritzburg United, they are up against a side slowly regaining their potency, having just knocked Highlands Park out of the cup competition. The last time the two sides clashed, the Team of Choice emerged victorious with a 2-1 score line, in March. Thabo Mabaso: Draw Soccer 6 Pool: Match 3 Soccer 6 Pool 26 October S6 V2 P1

CAPE TOWN CITY V AMAZULU (PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE)

League Rankings: Cape Town City 14th & AmaZulu 16th Useful facts: The Citizens and Usuthu meet again just four days after clashing in the Telkom Knockout, and this promises to be a hardfought game considering that both teams are at the basement of the table. Benni McCarthy’s charges have dropped crucial points at home this season, most recently against Bidvest Wits, and nothing will please them more than returning to winning ways in the league in front of their supporters, who will fork out only R20 as an entrance fee in a new innovation by the Cape club. AmaZulu, though, play some of the most enterprising football in the league and will not sit back, as they are desperately in need of points, after they were deducted six by FIFA following a contractual wrangle with an ex-player that dates back to 2014.

Thabo Mabaso: Cape Town City win Soccer 6 Pool: Match 4 Soccer 6 Pool 26 October S6 V2 P1

CHIPPA UNITED V MAMELODI SUNDOWNS (PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE)

League Rankings: Chippa United 11th & Mamelodi Sundowns 7th

Useful facts: It’s back to league football for the two sides, who experienced mixed fortunes in the Telkom Knockout – Chippa United lost 1-0 to Orlando Pirates, while Mamelodi Sundowns beat Bloemfontein Celtic by the same margin. Eric Tinkler is under increasing pressure at the Chilli Boys, only two months into the job and a positive result against the star-studded Downs will inject much-needed confidence in his side, whom he admitted played with fear in the first half against Bucs. That said, playing at Sisa Dukashe, with a pitch known to be bumpy at times, will test the resolve of Sundowns and the 12th man could be instrumental in propelling the home side to an unexpected victory.

Thabo Mabaso: Draw Soccer 6 Pool: Match 5 Soccer 6 Pool 26 October S6 V2 P1

BELENENSES V BENFICA (PRIMEIRA LIGA)

League Rankings: Belenenses 11th & Benfica 1st

Useful facts: Log leaders Benfica go in search of a victory over Belenenses on Saturday as they aim to stay top of the standings, with Braga, with whom they are equal on points, breathing down their necks at this early stage of the season. Although playing at home, Belenenses, who have won one, drawn four and lost two so far and lie in seventh place, are not expected to provide too much of a challenge. They have only scored four goals and Benfica, who have netted 15, will look to take advantage of their shortcomings with a clinical performance to keep them at the summit. The two sides played to a 1-1 draw the last time they did locked horns. Thabo Mabaso: Benfica win Soccer 6 Pool: Match 6 Soccer 6 Pool 26 October S6 V2 P1 *All league standings and facts are correct at the time of printing, but are subject to change. Note: For any queries or complaints, please contact Soccer 6 customer care on 011 681 1413.