Betway Premiership Preview: Richards Bay

Betway Premiership action returns this week with Orlando Pirates hosting Richards Bay at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night.

It’s the final league fixture before the upcoming international break for the Buccaneers, who are looking to further strengthen their grip on top spot. They face a determined Richards Bay outfit eyeing a move up the table after a tough start to the campaign.

Form Guide

The home side enters this game with an unblemished league record, having won all six of their fixtures so far. Fresh from a solid 2-0 victory away to TS Galaxy, they’ve managed to keep the pressure on second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, maintaining a three-point lead.

Pirates have been solid at both ends of the pitch this season, averaging two goals per match while showcasing a rock-solid defence that has only been breached twice. Three additional points will guarantee that they secure their hold on the top of the standings prior to the break, while also sealing their best start to the league campaign in the PSL era.

Standing between them and a seventh straight win is a Richards Bay side that will take some degree of confidence to the fixture. The KwaZulu-Natal team recently battled their way to the Carling Knockout Cup semifinals, edging out Cape Town City in a tense penalty shootout after 120 minutes of goalless action.

This was however only their second win in all competitions this season, with their only other triumph coming in the opening weekend of Premiership action. The Natal Rich Boyz have since managed to pick two points from their next five league matches, falling on the losing side three times to land in 12th place.

Having narrowly escaped the axe last season, they have a chance to begin their ascent into safety early on this term. This will require a drastic change in their luck in front of goal, as they head into the showdown with the Buccaneers with none scored in open play in their six most recent games.

Team News

Striker Yanela Mbuthuma is not available for selection as he sits out the second game of his two-match ban after picking up a red card in the league defeat against Sekhukhune United. He is one of two players suspended for the clash after midfielder Langelihle Mhlongo also received his marching orders over the weekend.

There are no suspension worries for the Buccaneers ahead of the clash. However, new signing Deano van Rooyen could miss out once more as he continues his recovery after picking up an injury against AmaZulu at Orlando Stadium.

Key Players

Makhehlene Makhaula (Orlando Pirates): One of the unsung heroes in the Bucs setup, Makhaula has enjoyed a more prominent role in the team over the past year. The midfielder has been key in maintaining control in the centre of the park while also thwarting the opposition’s efforts at launching attacks.

Somila Ntsundwana (Richards Bay): With a knack for troubling defences, Ntsundwana has often stepped up on big occasions and will look to deliver another top performance against the Buccaneers. Primarily deployed on the left wing but versatile enough to cover various attacking positions, Ntsundwana’s directness and eye for goal make him one of the visitors’ key attacking components.

Head-to-Head

Pirates will look to seal a league double early in the season when they clash with Richards Bay. The KZN outfit is among the six teams to have suffered defeat at the hands of the Soweto Giants, who earned a hard-fought 1-0 win at King Zwelithini Stadium in September with Kabelo Dlamini providing the game’s only goal.

That result created a bit of daylight between the two sides in terms of head-to-head results, with the Buccaneers slightly edging it with two wins in their five league encounters while the Natal Rich Boyz boast a single win.

Victory at Orlando Stadium has so far eluded the hosts, however. Their first home league fixture against Tuesday’s opponents finished goalless and was followed by an upset defeat towards the end of last season when Sanele Barns’ first-half strike handed the visitors all three points.

TV Coverage and Ticket Info

The game starts at 19:30 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport PSL. Orlando Pirates will share live updates across the Club’s official social media platforms.

Tickets are available online on TicketPro as well as selected outlets nationwide.

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