It’s high noon at both ends

By the time Kaizer Chiefs play Bidvest Wits on Wednesday, only one point could separate the title chasers if Mamelodi Sundowns beat Orlando Pirates on Tuesday. With only nine or fewer games remaining for most clubs, the 2019/20 Absa Premiership campaign is entering its final stretch, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most dramatic endings in recent times.

This season has proven to be competitive, and there have been many twists and turns. However, it is still too early to determine where the coveted title will end up, or who will go down, come May.

Chiefs and defending champions Sundowns are in a close race for the title, while SuperSport United have emerged as the dark horse after a late rally of impressive results. Pirates and Maritzburg United might look like they are out of the race, but, with 21 more points still to play for, they may well spring surprises on the current frontrunners.

It makes for a fascinating championship run, and one not many would have predicted given the great start Amakhosi had to the season.

At the bottom end of the table, several clubs are fighting to avoid the chop. Any of the bottom eight clubs, which all have fewer than 30 points, face relegation. There’s a strong chance the races – top and bottom – will be decided on the final match day.

With all the teams in action this coming week – starting on Tuesday – it will be interesting to see how the log standings will shift.

That said, here are six matches that you should keep an eye on this week unless the PSL decides otherwise:

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Orlando Pirates (Tuesday, Loftus, 7.30pm)

Games between these two giants are hard to predict, and this one won’t be any different. Expect a full house at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday night, as has been the norm when these two meet. End-to-end action is also expected as these two are the new cross-town rivals.

Sundowns will be going for revenge after suffering a 1-0 loss to the Bucs in the first round, while Pirates will be out to consolidate their position on the log and improve their slim chance of lifting the championship trophy.

After going two games without hitting the back of the net, Pirates are expected to be firing on all cylinders with the hope of regaining their winning form that saw them register back-to-back wins since the arrival of coach Josef Zinnbauer in December.

For the first time, Pirates failed to score against Chiefs and Golden Arrows in their past two games and this has put them under pressure going into Tuesday’s match. Zinnbauer will be hoping that the league’s leading goal-scorer, Gabadinho Mhango, will rediscover his scoring prowess to gain the Bucs the much-needed three points.

Kaizer Chiefs vs Bidvest Wits (Wednesday, FNB Stadium, 7.30pm)

Following their shock 1-0 defeat to AmaZulu, Chiefs will be looking to bounce back at the expense of the Students, who have been blowing hot and cold lately. Chiefs’ grip at the top is under threat and anything less than a victory will allow Sundowns a chance to have a go at them, or even reclaim the top spot.

Early in December, Chiefs had opened up an 11-point lead at the summit of the table, but that has since been slashed to just four points.

They no longer have the luxury of dropping more points if they want to lift their first league title since the 2014/15 season.

Having lost only once in the opening round, Chiefs have now lost three league matches – to SuperSport, Maritzburg and AmaZulu – since the beginning of the year, leading to questions about their title-winning potential.

They seem to crack under pressure and lack the belief that they can go all the way.

Wits will not be pushovers as they are looking to dent Chiefs’ title aspirations. The Students registered a hard-fought victory over struggling Black Leopards this week and can go as high as third place if they win this one.

Orlando Pirates vs Bidvest Wits (Orlando Stadium, Saturday, 6pm)

Fresh from their midweek matches, the two sides meet in what would be a battle of the CAF Confederation Cup spot – third place. With the title seemingly out of reach for both teams, their focus could shift to qualifying for next season’s second-tier continental competition.

But, depending on what happens in their midweek games, either side could have a shot at the title challenge.

AmaZulu vs Baroka (Saturday, King Zwelithini Stadium, 8.15pm)

With both teams only separated by a goal, this is a six-pointer that could go either way. They have almost the same statistics: they have won the same number of games (six), drawn five each and lost the same number (13). They are also on 23 points each.

Both teams registered morale-boosting victories last weekend when they beat Chiefs and Black Leopards, respectively.

Usuthu caretaker coach Ayanda Dlamini got off to a dream start and will be hoping his charges continue where they left off against Amakhosi. A win for either side will be vital in their fight for survival.

Highlands Park vs Mamelodi Sundowns (Saturday, Makhulong Stadium, 3.30pm)

The two teams were to meet yesterday in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals and have another date on Saturday at the same venue.

Highlands Park have not yet guaranteed their top-eight position and would want to secure it as quickly as possible. Playing in front of their home fans in Tembisa should give them an edge over Sundowns, who will be under pressure to push Chiefs all the way in the title challenge.

Black Leopards vs Maritzburg United (Saturday, Thohoyandou Stadium, 3.30pm)

Leopards are fast running out of matches – and time – in their effort to burn brightly and survive the chop. After failing to convert their games in hand into points, the Venda-based team needs to start using their advantage of playing at home to good effect if they are to survive.

However, it does not look good – they have not been impressive, having won only once in 10 outings this year. They need to change their spots fast, but it won’t be easy against the high-flying Maritzburg who have registered two consecutive victories.

Coach Eric Tinkler has transformed the Team of Choice from relegation candidates to top-eight contenders.

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