Pick your team as PSL season kicks off
Mamelodi Sundowns must be the bookies' odds-on favourites to reclaim the Holy Grail of South African soccer, but their CAF Champions League commitments and no off-season recess to speak of for them, may lead to fatigue later in the campaign and they will have to rely heavily on the December PSL break to recharge their batteries.
The Brazilians haven't tampered significantly with their championship-winning group and providing there isn't a mounting injury list brought on by a heavier workload than other clubs, the status quo is bound to stay the same.
The potential pretenders to their throne have had a proper off-season break and done a fair deal of conservative shopping to bolster their squads, while Sundowns have had to be in match-ready mode for the entire recess period.
It stands to reason, therefore, that the size, strength and fitness of Masadawana's squad will be a determining factor as to whether they are capable of returning the league trophy to Chloorkop.
Nobody knows that better than former Orlando Pirates coach Eric Tinkler. Pirates' league form suffered acutely as their focus was re-directed towards their African continental commitments.
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We are not debating the merits of Tinkler's departure from Orlando Pirates, a side he guided all the way to the CAF Confederations Cup final last term, but Muhsin Ertugral should know all too well what the demands and pressures are associated with being at the helm of one of the Soweto giants.
Ertugral did an admirable job guiding Mpumalanga Black Aces out of near relegation in 2014/15 to a fourth place finish last season before the club's professional franchise was sadly sold off to businessman John Comitis and the once famous Cape Town City were re-born.
Providing Pirates don't stutter at the start of their campaign, one feels they will always be in the championship race and they would no doubt have aspirations to at least bring home some silverware this season, the year of the club's 80th anniversary.
Kaizer Chiefs fans will also lose patience with Steve Khompela if he goes another season without putting some silverware in the Naturena trophy cabinet, but they have also gone about their business very quietly in the off-season and will be major contenders.
Former Chiefs mentor Stuart Baxter has proven pedigree as a championship-winning coach and one can't help leaving big-spending SuperSport United out as possible championship contenders.
Gavin Hunt is also no stranger to winning the Championship, having previously steered the Matsatsantsa ship to Absa Premiership glory. A 2-1 victory over Kaizer Chiefs in their opener surely signals the Clever Boys' intent this season.
Last season's standings are probably a good gauge as to who the strugglers are likely to be this term and one can't help feeling the cash-strapped Free State Stars, newly promoted Baroka FC, Maritzburg City and Polokwane City will be the strugglers, while Cape Town City and Highlands Park remain the unknown quantity.
As for the surprise package, I would have to keep an eye on Cape Town City who have retained a large contingent of players who saw predecessors Mpumalanga Black Aces to a top four finish and the enterprising Chippa United, who might give Nelson Mandela Bay fans something to cheer about again this season.
Here's my predictions:
Favourite to win the Absa Premiership: Mamelodi Sundowns
Pretenders to Sundowns' throne: Bidvest Wits or SuperSport United
Prospects of the Soweto Giants: Both have refreshed their squads in the off-season and off-loaded those considered to be surplus to requirements so fans must be expecting good things from them.
Prime Relegation Candidates: Free State Stars, Baroka FC
Potential Strugglers: Polokwane City, Maritzburg City.
Surprise Package: Chippa United, Cape Town City
What do you think?