No rest for the best in SA!
Midweek PSL action followed by the MTN8 quarter-finals on the weekend, means local clubs will have to ensure they tackle the season all guns blazing, but the quick-fire action should result in good payouts for TAB soccer customers as the hectic schedule is a recipe for upset results.
By Mark Gleeson
All 16 clubs in the Premier Soccer League are thrust into a quick-fire schedule this month – which could be difficult for those who were more successful in the last campaign to navigate.
With midweek league matches and the weekend’s MTN8 quarter-finals, the players move swiftly from the unpressured environment of pre-season straight into double competitive action.
Last season’s top eight clubs will have all played three games in the space of a week by Sunday, handing us a clearer indication of their potential for the season.
Champions Sundowns, already off to regular winning ways in the league opener away at Sekhukhune United on Friday, next host Kaizer Chiefs tomorrow afternoon in Atteridgeville in what could be a sellout encounter on a public holiday.
It is a testing examination for the new-look Chiefs, whose goalless draw with Chippa United in Durban on Sunday suggests they are going to bumble along again this term.
Sundowns then play in the MTN8 at home against Moroka Swallows on Saturday while Chiefs travel to Cape Town City in the same competition on Sunday.
Orlando Pirates were expected to be the side who might offer Sundowns the stiffest challenge, but they got their campaign off to a losing start at Stellenbosch on Saturday. Pirates actually did play well but did not take their chances and key performers like Players’ Player of the Season Monnapule Saleng looked out of form.
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro did not seem too distressed by the setback but knows he can ill-afford a slip-up tonight when they host Royal AM at the Orlando Stadium.
SuperSport United produced the best result of the weekend, winning 2-0 against a passive Richards Bay, who already look a relegation candidate, along with Cape Town Spurs, Chippa United, Polokwane City and TS Galaxy, even though they won narrowly on Sunday.
In the UEFA Champions League, more clubs enter the third qualifying round, including former winners Olympique Marseille, PSV Eindhoven, plus Scotland’s Rangers, who suffered a shock reversal at Kilmarnock in their opening Scottish Premier League clash on Saturday.
There are two more knockout rounds to decide the six clubs who will join the 26 teams who are automatically into the lucrative group phase of the UEFA Champions League, which starts next month.
Rangers might struggle against the Swiss club Servette Geneva but PSV should be far too strong for Sturm Graz of Austria.