FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
The Absa Premiership will reach its penultimate round this evening as all the 16 teams will simultaneously play at 6pm with, ironically, the championship hopefuls facing the relegation-threatened sides
BLACK LEOPARDS V BIDVEST WITS
Wits are on a mission to pull off one of the biggest comebacks in history as they push for the title. The Clever Boys are third with 49 points, four adrift of leaders Kaizer Chiefs and second placed Mamelodi Sundowns.
Should Chiefs and Sundowns lose their last two matches and the Clever Boys win their games against Black Leopards and Polokwane they’ll be crowned the kings of South African football.
Wits may have sold their status to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila but they boast an astute coach in Gavin Hunt and captain in Thulani Hlatshwayo and they may be able to achieve the improbable.
But they face a determined Leopards side this evening that wants to save their status in top-flight football. Lidoda Duvha are currently 15th with 26 points, one ahead of basement dwellers Polokwane City.
KAIZER CHIEFS V CHIPPA UNITED
Chiefs are top of the league on 53 points, the same number as Sundowns, but with a much better goal difference (they are five goals better off). But Amakhosi have endured an underwhelming restart and could (and probably should) have been knocked off top spot after their loss against Wits on Sunday.
But they were saved by Baroka FC, who defeated Sundowns later in the day. Their supporters will be asking the Glamour Boys win their last two matches after three defeats and one draw in their last four matches to wrap up the title.
Against the Chilli Boys they face a tricky outfit as they are 12th on the standings with 31 points, a mere six ahead of Polokwane City. Sure, should City and Leopards lose their games tonight Chippa will be guaranteed safety but coach Lehlohonolo Seema will not want to leave anything to chance.
POLOKWANE CITY V MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
There was a time when Sundowns appeared to have squandered their chances of defending their crown but with all the twists and turns (and lack of form from the title hopefuls) since the return of the league that they are still in to win it.
Coach Pitso Mosimane rightfully cut a disappointed figure following their loss to Baroka but he’s still banking on his troops to throw the kitchen sink at Polokwane City and Black Leopards in their last two matches.
The fact that Sundowns have comefrom-behind to wrap up the title in the last two seasons has made them strong candidates ahead of the final two matches, despite their own iffy form.
Polokwane City, though, will not make it easy for them as they found themselves at the foot of the standings. The relegation battle will also be going down to the wire and City will be banking on the experience of coach Clinton Larsen to keep them afloat.