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The Rumble continues
19/02/2008 15:37 - (SA)
Johannesburg - All 16 Absa Premier Soccer League teams will be in action on Wednesday with the Orlando Pirates v Mamelodi Sundowns clash at Joburg Stadium being the most appealing among the eight Absa Premiership games.
Almost every game is guaranteed to be a humdinger as five aim for the league title and another five battle to get away from relegation. Here's a look at the midweek clashes.
Pirates v Sundowns
Both clubs are highly motivated. Last year, in the first round of league matches, Sundowns beat Bucs 2-1 so obviously the hosts would want to settle the score and not only that, both are challengers for the league title too.
Pirates though are in a better position than the defending champs on the log. The latter have 21 points, six less than Pirates who are five points behind leaders Ajax Cape Town.
A win is vital for both in the championship challenge as Ajax seem pretty comfortable on top and therefore fireworks can be expected.
Quality, experience and skill is abundant in both sides but Pirates' recent victories clearly make them favourites.
Wits v Kaizer Chiefs
In a strange paradox, Wits are league challengers while the illustrious Chiefs are not and judging by their recent performances, will not be.
All the pressure is on Chiefs who are in a unfamiliar 12th position on the table while Wits, sitting comfortably in 3rd, will not want to give up their unusual league challenging position, especially at their compact home ground, the BIDVest Stadium.
While Wits are deemed to be ordinary and Chiefs labelled as a glamour club on the field, status does not matter and the hosts have shown in seasons past they have what it takes to upset the Soweto giant.
Could another upset be on the cards for Chiefs? Most definitely. They have to win or else they will feel the ire of their demanding, disheartened fans and with this kind of pressure they are likely to buckle while the hosts just have to use their wits to get a result.
Ajax Cape Town v Thanda Royal Zulu
The log leaders are cruising at the top of the log and seem indomitable. It is their league championship to lose as no one will catch them if they continue winning, which they seem to be doing so effortlessly.
TRZ, on the other hand, are battling to get away from the relegation zone and with players such as Scara Ngobese, Bernard Parker and Serge Djihoua, they should finish the league in a respectable position but facing the high-riding Ajax now could be a stumbling block in their quest to move up.
Without a doubt Ajax are favourites to win this clash but watch out for the invigorated Scara Ngobese, whose deft touches and skilful left-foot can destroy opposing players with a shimmy or two.
SuperSport United v Jomo Cosmos
In another top-versus-bottom clash, second placed SuperSport are hot on the heels of Ajax while their opponents are trying to escape from the very bottom of the log.
Cosmos have won only twice this season and surely fancy a third against SuperSport as they actually beat them in the first round. Cosmos are creating chances, which is important, but they have not converted these chances and therefore are prime candidates for the National First Division.
SuperSport are scoring goals and the importance of this is paramount to winning games which Cosmos is not doing. A win for SuperSport is likely but then again, it's a war for the misfiring Cosmos.
Platinum Stars v Black Leopards
The only game featuring two relegation candidates should be pretty interesting. Stars' confidence is high after thrashing Lesotho Correctional Services 4-0 in a African Cup match while victory is eluding the wounded Leopards.
It's not a clash that ignites passion, given the two sides' followings, but nonetheless decent play is likely but without a crowd it will all seem humdrum. A draw is a most likely outcome.
Free State Stars v Bloem Celtic
Now here are two teams, in the Free State of all places, that have support most Gauteng teams would envy. Stars, five points behind Ajax, are title contenders and Celtic, five behind their hosts, cannot seriously be considered championship material concerning their inconsistent form.
The Free State derby will undoubtedly be a spectacle considering the fan fare and the rivalry between the two, but Stars are favoured to get the better of their more recognised neighbours.
AmaZulu v Golden Arrows
AmaZulu are not entirely safe from the relegation zone as they're only six points above Cosmos. Victory for them is a must in this Kwa-Zulu Natal derby if they want to distance themselves from the five clubs below them.
Arrows are eight points behind the leaders but their fickle form does not augur well for a championship team but they can finish in the top eight bracket. This derby is another fight for bragging rights, however, a draw can be expected.
Moroka Swallows v Santos
Two spent forces trying to make their way up the table, Swallows and Santos have 22 points each and linger in mid-table obscurity. Neither can be considered league challengers but both are known to rise to the occasion - on occasion.
This is not good enough for clubs with a histories as rich as theirs but both have stunned and stumbled this season so a point each is a fair expectation.
Swallows, AmaZulu and the Free State derby kick off at 15:30 and the rest will start at 19:30.
- SAPA
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