Sundowns face hard PSL test
Sundowns should clean up Highlands Park on Saturday and secure second place in the PSL log but a midweek Champions League tie could derail them
The race for the Premier Soccer League trophy came to an earlier than expected conclusion last week with Bidvest Wits winning a first-ever title, which means this Saturday’s last day of the league season is all about the rest of the placings. Most important to be decided will be the runners-up berth as it carries a slot in next year’s African Champions League and Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has made it clear he wants the chance for another tilt at continental glory. But Sundowns are in a precarious position as they have just a one-point advantage over new boys Cape Town City. They play away at Highlands Park in Tembisa at the same time as City are away at Polokwane City. But while the coastal outfit will have had 10 days to prepare for the game, Sundowns have to go to the Democratic Republic of Congo for a difficult Champions League tie in midweek against AS Vita Club.
They will fly back on Thursday afternoon, relatively exhausted from what is always a gruelling trip to inhospitable climes and be left with just one day to recover for the game against a team desperate for points in the relegation battle.
There are still five teams in the battle against the drop with bottom place automatically relegated and second from bottom going into the promotion-relegation play-offs to face off with Black Leopards and Stellenbosch FC.
One point would be enough for Bloemfontein Celtic to secure safety, but they are away at Maritzburg United, who are chasing a top-eight place and will be looking to sign off a good campaign with a home triumph.
Chippa United and Free State Stars are both on 27 points and play each other in Bethlehem with the winner guaranteed safety, but a draw putting both in potential danger.
But for Highlands Park and Baroka, currently in the last two spots as they contemplate a return to the National First Division after just a single season in the top flight, wins are a must. Baroka are away at Ajax Cape Town, who are showing some fine form at home.
Ajax should beat Baroka while Sundowns, even with heavy legs, will probably be too good for Highlands Park, which means Baroka go down and Highlands into the play-offs.
Saturday also sees the FA Cup final at Wembley with Arsenal seeking to deny Chelsea the league-and-cup double and also win silverware to compensate for missing out on a place in next season’s Champions League.
Borussia Dortmund are fancied to win the German Cup at the expense of Eintracht Frankfurt and Barcelona should beat Deportivo Alaves for Copa del Rey success.