Experts agree - Wits to win PSL title
Unlike last season, an intriguing dogfight has unfolded at the top and bottom of the Absa Premiership log with two rounds remaining. Trevor Cramer chatted to a panel of soccer experts to put their collective heads on a block and predict the winner.
By the same token, the battle for survival in the top flight is just as intense with any one of four clubs still facing the automatic drop to the National First Division.
Adding to the excitement and the intrigue on the road to 'Championship Weekend' on May 27th, the tussle for places in the top eight and a place in the lucrative MTN8 next season, is also a bun fight.
Just two points separate the leading contenders Bidvest Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns with just two matches to play, so it's down to the wire.
With just six points on offer, Cape Town City can only rely on the misfortune of their two rivals above them to still salvage honours.
Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United have sadly drifted off the pace and have no chance of capturing title honours, but their places in the top eight are guaranteed.
The current permutations are pretty clearcut in this penaultimate week of league action -- The 'Clever Boys' need to beat the sticky Polokwane City at home, but will only capture the trophy if Sundowns falter against a
resurgent Maritzburg City side.
So for Masandawana, Wednesday evening's visit by Maritzburg is a must-win game to take the race into it's final week.
Wits, however, still have a very difficult encounter against Kaizer Chiefs to come on 'Championship Weekend', while Sundowns have what should be the softer assignment against relegation-threatened Highlands Park.
Sundowns are in the box seats should there be a points deadlock, with a superior goal differential to that of Wits.
The puzzle in mid-table is even more complex.
Up to six teams can still land their spot in the 2017/18 season-opening MTN8. Maritzburg, Polokwane City, Ajax Cape Town, Golden Arrows and to a lesser degree Orlando Pirates, are all still involved in that scramble.
The fact that Maritzburg and Polokwane -- the top two teams' respective opponents on Wednesday -- are in that race within a race, could be a haunting prospect for both Wits and Sundowns as both teams are potential banana peels.
The relegation dogfight is also far from over. Just a single point separates Highlands Park from Baroka and Chippa United in the basement, with Free State Stars and Bloemfontein Celtic also flirting with the drop should they both
end badly. The script couldn't have been better written though - the two Free State sides meet in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.
The Lions of the North were encouraged by their victory over Chippa United last weekend and may fancy their survival chances if they can beat fellow strugglers Baroka FC in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.
Here's how some of the experts see it:
Marc Strydom (Times Media) - Winners: Bidvest Wits. Relagated: Baroka FC
Jonty Mark (Soccer Editor - The Citizen) - Winners: Bidvest Wits. Relegation: Chippa United
Sibusiso Mjikeliso (Editor- Kickoff Magazine) - Winners: Bidvest Wits Relegation: Too tight to call - Loser of Baroka FC vs Highlands Park, Chippa United also prime candidates.
Remaining Fixtures:
17 May
Home team listed first - (All Kick-off at 19h30)
Orlando Pirates vs Ajax Cape Town
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Maritzburg Utd
Platinum Stars vs Kaizer Chiefs
Bloem Celtic vs Free State Stars
Bidvest Wits vs Polokwane City
Cape Town City vs Golden Arrows
Baroka FC vs Highlands Park
Chippa Utd vs SuperSport Utd
27 May
Kaizer Chiefs v Bidvest Wits
Ajax Cape Town v Baroka FC
SuperSport United v Platinum Stars
Golden Arrows v Orlando Pirates
Free State Stars v Chippa United
Maritzburg Utd v Bloem Celtic
Polokwane City v Cape Town City
Highlands Park v Mamelodi Sundowns