D-Day for Orlando Pirates with chance to close out Betway Premiership title race

The identity of the champions, teams securing top eight spots, and those facing relegation may all come into sharper focus during this crucial round that holds significance for numerous clubs.

Below are the key discussion points before the matches begin.

One more victory

The standout fixture occurs in Soweto, where Orlando Pirates have the opportunity to essentially secure the title, even if not in mathematical terms yet.

A win against Durban City at home would put them on 68 points, matching Mamelodi Sundowns, who have already finished their league commitments, but with a much better goal difference of +44 compared to The Brazilians’ +36.

If Pirates achieve a 1-0 victory over City, they would require a 9-0 defeat to Orbit College in their last match merely to equal the goal difference. That scenario is inconceivable.

Thus, they will not raise the trophy on Saturday, but practically, it would mean the task is accomplished, allowing them to anticipate the presentation on the concluding weekend as they aim for their first league title since 2012.

Pirates are enjoying an 11-match unbeaten streak (W8 D3) and have allowed only three goals in their previous seven outings, while netting 22 themselves, averaging over three per game.

They defeated City 2-0 in the earlier encounter in November.

Maintaining the drive

Kaizer Chiefs have locked in third position and a place in the CAF Confederation Cup for the upcoming season as they travel to AmaZulu for their second-last fixture.

This matchup features their ex-coach Arthur Zwane and promises an engaging contest at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, although neither team has substantial stakes involved.

Usuthu have virtually guaranteed a top-five position but aim to accumulate more points to claim fourth, which would represent a solid accomplishment for the team.

Chiefs simply intend to sustain their positive momentum and overall good vibes, amid considerable discussion at Naturena regarding the coaching setup for the next campaign.

Three of the past four encounters have concluded level, with the remaining one being a 3-1 triumph for Chiefs in Durban during the previous season. However, Usuthu also recorded a 4-0 home victory in 2023.

Warding off the drop

Chippa United are now on their joint-record sixth manager for the Betway Premiership this term, with Hlanga Dikeni at the helm and an atmosphere of urgency enveloping the club.

A sequence of just one victory in their most recent 10 league matches (D4 L5) has dragged them back into the relegation battle after it appeared they would glide through the remaining fixtures a few weeks ago.

Chippa sit four points clear of the direct drop zone but only two ahead of the play-off position, as the clubs below them begin to gather points.

They welcome a Lamontville Golden Arrows team that requires a single additional win to qualify for the MTN8 next season and which still harbours ambitions of reaching the top five.

The pair shared a dull 0-0 stalemate on the concluding day of the 2022/23 campaign when Chippa required a point for safety, an outcome that denied Golden Arrows a top-eight berth that year. Both appeared reluctant to attack on that occasion.

A draw represents the prevailing outcome in their history, occurring in 11 of 24 clashes. Golden Arrows hold seven successes to Chippa’s six.

Bottom dwellers

The league’s lowest team, Magesi FC, travel to Siwelele in search of a victory to sustain their chances of avoiding the drop, although even a point could prove useful based on elsewhere’s outcomes.

Siwelele’s previous match was that remarkable 7-4 defeat to Sundowns, marking the highest number of goals in any single Betway Premiership fixture. Such an event is improbable here.

They occupy ninth spot and lag four points behind Golden Arrows in the position above. A win is essential for them to challenge for a top-half conclusion, compelling them to attack proactively.

This approach might favour Magesi, yet they are still the sole top-division outfit without an away success this season (D6 L8). Siwelele have suffered just two home losses (W6 D6).

Magesi face Richards Bay at home on the season’s final day, so they believe that securing something in this game gives them a genuine shot at survival.

Masters of the stalemate

Second-from-bottom Marumo Gallants are attempting to draw themselves clear of danger, having earned one point from their last five outings, but this is a hazardous plan as they visit Polokwane City.

The hosts have essentially confirmed their top-eight status, leaving them with minimal motivation, though they too are without a win in four (D2 L2).

Gallants have managed only one league success since November (D7 L10), achieved on the road against Chippa United.

The sole factor bolstering their survival prospects is their opening two league wins this season, one of which was versus the prospective champions Pirates, yet afterwards they have triumphed in just two of 26 subsequent league games.

They possess two historical victories over Polokwane City … and both occurred away.

Road performance

Orbit College currently hover just outside the relegation places but face a challenging away assignment at Stellenbosch FC prior to their closing clash with Pirates, forming by far the most demanding end to the schedule among the struggling sides.

Stellenbosch retain slim prospects of a top-eight finish, so they will strive for victory, although they are somewhat faltering towards the campaign’s close in the league.

Orbit lead the automatic drop zone by three points but possess the league’s poorest goal difference at -22, which practically hands an extra point to their competitors.

They secured a win on their preceding away journey at Magesi and are actually unbeaten across three road games following draws at Durban City and Gallants.

They have gathered 12 points away this season, identical to their home tally, and have even netted one additional goal on the road.