Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Struggling Golden Arrows host in-form Orlando Pirates at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 20:15.
Orlando Pirates have been exceptional in the league lately and are looking to creep closer to log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Arrows, on the other hand, aren't playing the best of football and are only a stone's throw away from the relegation zone.
The two meet on Saturday in what, on paper, is a complete mismatch but as the old saying goes never write a team off unless you are psychic or a sangoma.
Golden Arrows
Arrows' campaign has had its ups and downs. Their ups came in mid-September where they managed to win three games in a row and their downs have been the rest of the season.
Clinton Larsen's team has been as predictable as the rainfall in Cape Town. More worrying is the situation they find themselves in:
- Abafana Bes'thende have 27 points in the league, only 4 points away from the relegation zone (Gulp)
- Kudakwashe Mahachi, their best player, is out injured for the rest of the season (Drink water)
- Their next four games after Orlando Pirates are up against, sixth placed Cape Town City, third placed Free State Stars, log leading Mamelodi Sundowns, and fifth placed Kaizer Chiefs (Spit out water)
Orlando Pirates
Pirates could take advantage of Sundowns' African Champions League commitments by pounding Arrows which will cut Mamelodi Sundowns lead to a solitary point.
Pirates were on an illegal drug high after their mauling of rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby a couple of weeks ago. They quickly sobered up when Cape Town City sent them crashing back down to earth after knocking them out of the Nedbank Cup on Wednesday night.
Pirates will be looking to use Arrows as their punching bag to take out their frustration over their cup exit.
Odds
Pirates 12/10
Draw 2/1
Arrows 22/10
Stats
Arrows have won only two of their eight games (losing four and drawing two). They haves scored just nine goals and conceded the same amount.
Pirates have won six of their last eight games, losing just once and drawing the other. They’ve scored 18 goals in that time while only conceding 10.
Prediction
I would hate to be a Golden Arrows supporter right now. If I was to bet on anything I would put my money on them being relegated at the end of the season. Pirates, meanwhile, have played the best football in the league this calendar year. The gulf in class is evident.
But, Arrows have lost just one out of their last four home games, keeping three clean sheets in that time, while Pirates might be without in-form attacking midfielder Luvuyo Memela due to injury.
However, I still think Orlando Pirates have what it take to beat Arrows.
The 12/10 on offer for a Pirates win is easy money if you look at these two teams on paper.
