PSL title race in final days
A week of grand soccer action and chances to land big wins in cash-added TAB soccer pools kicks off today with Sundowns set to move a step closer to yet another PSL title and victory in the African Champions League
By Mark Gleeson
It’s paradise for soccer fans this coming long weekend with a bunch of add-ins and carryovers to TAB soccer pools, and a series of exciting games including a Manchester City-Liverpool rematch in the FA Cup.
But there’s a long list of TAB pools and enthralling games to bet on before Friday, including PSL clashes and the second legs of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
Starting at home Mamelodi Sundowns effectively need only three victories from their last six outings of the DStv Premiership season to take a record-extending 15th league title and their fifth in a row. They can take one step closer this afternoon by beating Lamontville Golden Arrows.
A win at Loftus Versfeld will lift Sundowns to 57 points and put them out of the reach of all but four of their rivals, including Orlando Pirates who were expected to be their closest challengers this season.
If they keep up their winning form, the Brazilians could have the title sewn up by the beginning of next month - and even earlier if their nearest pursuers do not keep up the pressure by winning their matches.
Sundowns must be expected to deliver a routine triumph at home today before they head to Angola at the weekend for the first leg of an African Champions League quarter-final.
And few TAB customers will bet against them winning there as they look to be gathering strength as the season continues.
Pirates play later tonight away at Baroka FC and have six league games remaining. They can reach a maximum of 56 points and no matter what happens in Polokwane, their title hopes will be over if Sundowns beat Arrows earlier.
Pirates had much promise when the season began and some astute-looking signings in the off-season suggested they might offer Sundowns a real challenge, but it has not turned out that way.
The Buccaneers have not lost in six matches since their derby defeat and you can expect them to extend that unbeaten sequence away at Baroka. They are bottom after five losses in their last six DStv Premiership games and look on track to finish last.
Second-from-bottom Swallows FC take on Maritzburg United in a game that was washed out last week. A point will lift Swallows out of the relegation zone, whereas a home success for Maritzburg would be a massive boost in their bid to get away from the strugglers near the bottom. A draw, however, is the most likely result.
Also tonight Manchester City must defend a slender lead in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid and Liverpool are a banker to beat Benfica again.
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are hot tips for the other quarter-final second leg ties tomorrow, but Chelsea might yet spring a surprise after their demolition of Southampton on Saturday.