THIS WEEK WE TAKE A LOOK AT SOME EXCITING ACTION AROUND THE WORLD. OUR GUEST PREDICTOR IS FORMER KAIZER CHIEFS DEFENDER, ISAAC MABOTSA. WE HAVE INCLUDED ALL THE RELEVANT TIPS TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR BETTING TIPS.
MATCH OF THE WEEK MAMELODI SUNDOWNS V LOBI STARS (CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE) League Rankings: Mamelodi Sundowns 1st (Premier Soccer League) & Lobi Stars 11th (NPFL)
Useful facts: Lobi Stars go into this match perhaps more desperate for a result than Mamelodi Sundowns, as a loss will pile on a lot of pressure on the Nigerian side ahead of their last group encounter against ASEC Mimosas. But with the home side intent on revenge after they lost 2-1 to their opponents in their earlier fixture in Enugu, they should be expecting nothing less than a tough fight. Downs are now aware of what Lobi Stars are capable off and will not want to put a foot wrong if they themselves to make the passage to the next round of the competition. As usual, they will look to their vociferous supporters to make life difficult for the visitors at Lucas Moripe Stadium. Lobi Stars are not as huge a powerhouse in Nigeria as, say, Enyimba and this is their second appearance in the CAF Champions League, so experience could also come into play on Saturday. Downs will want to avoid déjà vu, as they bowed out at this stage last year and unfancied Horoya progressed at their expense.
Isaac Mabotsa: Mamelodi Sundowns win
Soccer 6 Pool: Match 6 Soccer 6 Pool March 9 S6 V1 P1 CRYSTAL PALACE V BRIGHTON
(ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE) League Rankings: Crystal Palace 13th & Brighton 15th
Useful facts: Only three points separate the two sides in the bottom side of the league table, with Brighton having a game in hand. That makes a win for the visitors all the more important in their aim of moving up and escaping relegation territory. When it comes to goals scored and conceded, not much separates the two teams, which is why a draw could be the likeliest result. However, the home side seem to be favourites to edge it on the basis of home ground advantage. The last time the two clubs met, in April, 10-men Brighton won 3-1.
Isaac Mabotsa: Draw
Soccer 6 Pool: Match 1 Soccer 6 Pool March 9 S6 V1 P1 HIGHLANDS PARK V BAROKA FC
(PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE) League Rankings: Highlands Park 9th & Baroka FC 13th Useful facts: Highlands Park have collected one out of a possible nine points in their last three league games and that does not augur well for their ambitions to finish inside the Top Eight bracket in their first season back in the topflight. Playing at home, against what appears to be a hapless Baroka FC side at present, maximum points is what they will be gunning for. Head coach Owen da has time and time again bemoaned his charges’ failure to put away the chances they create, and Saturday’s game presents them with an opportunity to right their wrongs. For the visitors, time is running out and they could be in serious trouble if they fail to register POLOKWANE CITY V GOLDEN ARROWS
(PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE) League Rankings: Polokwane City 7th & Golden Arrows 10th
Useful facts: This is a fixture between two teams who have been entertaining to watch this season and should be a humdinger for the neutrals. That Polokwane City are currently on the same number of points as giants Kaizer Chiefs, with Jozef Vukusic in his first season in charge, speaks volumes about their progress. Having beaten neighbours Baroka FC 3-1 last weekend, Rise and Shine now turn their attention to Golden Arrows. They will look to none other than evergreen veteran Jabu Maluleke to orchestrate things from the middle of the park and help them secure what would be an important victory. The visitors have been impressive under new mentor Steve Komphela and, despite the 1-0 loss to Orlando Pirates over the weekend, appear to be on track. A win is a must for them in order to close in on a Top Eight position, with so few games remaining this season.
Isaac Mabotsa: Draw
Soccer 6 Pool: Match 3 Soccer 6 Pool March 9 S6 V1 P1 KAIZER CHIEFS V MARITZBURG UNITED
(PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE) League Rankings: Kaizer Chiefs 6th & Maritzburg United 16th
Useful facts: Maritzburg United are having their tails up after their incredible come-frombehind 2-1 win over AmaZulu last Friday and will savour nothing more than the prospect of building up a run of wins, with the season at a very critical stage. Chippa United losing to SuperSport United was a big result for Eric Tinkler’s men, as they trail the Port Elizabeth-based outfit by only three points, with eight games to go for both. This is the period in the season where teams, because of circumstance, sometimes need favours from other teams and the Team of Choice seem to be in that situation at present, but will be aware that they have to stick to their end of the bargain first and foremost – win your own games. And against Kaizer Chiefs, who have been counted out of the title race by many, they will face one of their sternest challenges so far, at FNB Stadium. Amakhosi are also high on confidence and do know that winning as many games as possible at this stage is key, with some of the teams at the top of the standings still to face each other. It remains to be seen whether, in their desperation to get the goals that will see them starve off relegation, they won’t open themselves up at the back, something that the Soweto giants could capitalise on.
Isaac Mabotsa: Kaizer Chiefs win
Soccer 6 Pool: Match 4 Soccer 6 Pool March 9 S6 V1 P1
AMAZULU V BIDVEST WITS (PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE) League Rankings: AmaZulu 11th & Bidvest Wits 3rd
Useful facts: Expect Bidvest Wits to come out guns blazing after losing in spectacular fashion to Cape Town City at home this past weekend, having gone 2-0 up at halftime. That result saw them slipping to third place on the league table, one point behind secondplaced Orlando Pirates, who were set to face Bloemfontein Celtic at the time of writing. The Student have been top of the table for the better part of the season and will want to reclaim their position, but facing AmaZulu in Durban is always a tricky affair. Usuthu have been their own worst enemies with their poor defending in recent games and Cavin Johnson will have worked on that by the time this fixture comes around. Revenge is also on the cards, after Wits walloped AmaZulu 3-0 in the early stages of the season.
Isaac Mabotsa: Bidvest Wits win Soccer 6 Pool: Match 5 Soccer 6 Pool March 9 S6 V1 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.