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Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs meet in another instalment of one of the continent’s biggest derbies at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Soweto derby has not lived up to the hype in recent years. The games have been dull with not many goals scored. The fixture has become more of a social event than a competitive derby match. But, this year, it’s a little different. Both teams are for the first time, in years, vying to win the league. The stakes are high. On Saturday, Which half of the country will celebrate, the gold or the black?
Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates are in championship form in 2018. The Sea Robbers have collected 15 points out of a possible 21 points this year. The good run has seen them hopscotch their way to the second spot on the table only four behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Coach Michu and assistant Rhulani have reanalysed how poorly the team played in the first half of the season. They corrected it and now Pirates are playing an exciting brand of football with a lot of goals.
Kaizer Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs also started 2018 well. Amakhosi are on an eight games unbeaten streak in 2018. Which sounds great but they have only won 2 and drawn 3 of their last five matches.
Draws have cost Kaizer Chiefs.
Here are a couple of things Steve Komphela needs to realise:
? Having the equal amount of goals as your opponents at the end of 90 minutes means the game is a draw.
? Should he fail to win a trophy this season he will be jobless.
? Playing defensively against inferior teams will lead to draws.
? It isn't easy to find a job in South Africa.
? 57-year-old Simphiwe Tshabalala isn't the answer to your problems.
Record
Orlando Pirates last five games in all competitions
WWWLW (80% WIN PERCENTAGE)
Kaizer Chiefs last five games in all competitions
DWWDD (40% WIN PERCENTAGE)
Prediction
BET.co.za has really good odds on Saturday's game. Orlando Pirates 1.55, Draw 1.80, Kaizer Chiefs 1.85.
Orlando Pirates are playing well and are slight favourites to win the game. Even though they are "playing to secure a top 8 position" as their coach is always quick to remind us, Orlando Pirates have an opportunity - if AmaZulu could do them a favour tonight- to close the gap between them and Downs to a solitary point.
It seems Steve Komphela and his Kaizer Chiefs side need this win more than Orlando Pirates. Komphela’s contract is expiring, and this could be the last hurrah for players like Tshabalala and Bernard Parker. Every point counts and Chiefs cannot continue to drop points with only 7 games remaining. Kaizer Chiefs need this. Steve Komphela needs this.
Orlando Pirates are in good goalscoring form. Striker Shonga, playmakers Memela, and Lorch are currently playing their best football this season but the Kaizer Chiefs defence is stubborn and will not be beaten by their own defensive mistakes. If Orlando Pirates score first I see a Pirates win if Chiefs net first I predict a draw.
