Soccer 13 tops after R4 bet wins R3.7-m

PIRATES LOOK PART BUT INCONSISTENCY IS A WORRY

Soccer 13 is set to be the most popular football bet this weekend after a TAB Windhoek punter played a R4 Soccer 13 bet last Saturday and won an astonishing R3.7 million!

But TAB bets like Soccer 10 will still have plenty of customers especially because tonight’s pool and the second of three Soccer 10 bets tomorrow start with R200,000 add-ins from TAB.

The MTN8 final is included in tomorrow’s cash-boosted Soccer 10 and Orlando Pirates will start hot favourites. But given how inconsistent they have been in recent weeks, it is hard to have total confidence in their ability to overcome AmaZulu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

A fortnight ago Pirates booked their place in the final with a stunning 3-0 away win over holders Mamelodi Sundowns, but then last Saturday looked flat and ineffective in the Soweto derby.

AmaZulu have displayed little form, but did win over Stellenbosch last weekend which would have boosted their morale.

The two clubs met on 14 October in Soweto and played out a 1-1 draw in which Sphesihle Maduna gave Usuthu the lead from the penalty spot. Pirates then equalised when Kermit Erasmus’ shot went in off the back of AmaZulu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa. Nkosinathi Sibisi also missed a penalty for Pirates in that game.

Traditionally, Pirates have dominated clashes between the clubs. They have met on 69 previous occasions in all competitions since 1985 with Pirates leading the win count 3211. There have been 26 draws and the Buccaneers have scored 98 goals to Usuthu’s 57.

Pirates are appearing in their second MTN8 final in three years after defeating Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1 in the 2020 decider. On that occasion they had to come from behind and secured victory thanks to goals from Deon Hotto and Thembinkosi Lorch. The Buccaneers have been to 16 finals in the top-eight competition in all, winning 10.

AmaZulu last won a trophy in 1992 and their last knockout final appearance was in 2010 in the Nedbank Cup, in which Wits beat them 3-0 in the match that marked the re-opening of the renovated Soccer City ahead of the World Cup finals.

Manchester City must be fancied to head the Premier League come the end of the weekend as they look sure to get all three points at home to Fulham tomorrow. They will then have to wait to see how Arsenal fare in Sunday’s London derby against Chelsea. Arsenal must win at Stamford Bridge to maintain their slender two-point lead, otherwise City with a far superior goal difference could take over.

There is also a tough trip for Manchester United to Aston Villa, who will unveil ex-Gunners boss Unai Emery as their new manager.