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Cape Town - The PSL has reached its halfway stage, with 10 of the 16 sides having played exactly 15 matches so far.
Some clubs are in better shape than others.
Mamelodi Sundowns under Pitso Mosimane top the table (33 points) and appear to be the side to beat. They look a fitter side than their counterparts and are playing an attacking and attractive brand of football.
Only Bidvest Wits (32 points) have scored more goals than Sundowns this season, and no side has conceded fewer than the Clever Boys.
Wits look to be the biggest competition to Sundowns, but there is also a surprise package in the form of Mpumalanga Black Aces.
It is hard to think that Aces almost ceased to exist at the start of the season after an extravagant bid by relegated AmaZulu to buy their way back into the PSL collapsed at the final hurdle, but under the mentorship of the seasoned Mushin Ertugral Aces have punched above their weight.
They are just three points behind Sundowns, but whether or not they can stay near the summit remains to be seen.
Defending champions Kaizer Chiefs, meanwhile, have struggled to get going under new coach Steve Komphela.
Though they have lost just twice, Chiefs have drawn seven of their 15 fixtures and now find themselves eight points behind Sundowns.
Komphela will know better than anyone that the Glamour Boys cannot afford to slip any further behind their title rivals.
The biggest disappointment of the season so far is surely Orlando Pirates.
Still playing catch-up in their fixtures due to their extended participation in last year's CAF Confederation Cup, Pirates have been woeful in the league and manager Eric Tinkler is now under real pressure to turn things around.
The Buccaneers have lost a staggering six times already this season and are well in the bottom half of the table in 11th place - and 17 points behind Sundowns albeit with a game in hand.
At the foot of the table Maritzburg United (8 from 14 matches) continue their fight for survival under their third coach of the season, Ernst Middendorp.
Tuks (12), Jomo Cosmos (13), Polokwane City (15) and Ajax Cape Town (16 from 14) are the other sides fighting for their PSL safety.
