Mamelodi Sundowns title chances – Final 10 fixtures analysed

As the season reaches its climax, Mamelodi Sundowns have 10 matches left to try to retain their PSL title. We analyse those fixtures for any potential banana skins or must-win games.

Note: Due to Sundowns’ CAF Champions League and Nedbank Cup commitments, some of these fixtures could be rescheduled.

Stellenbosch (away)

This game looks set to be sandwiched by a crucial CAF second leg against Al-Ahly and a Nedbank Cup quarter-final with Highlands Park. Downs won the first meeting between these sides this season despite seeing Stellies have more shots than them, and a very suspect penalty call had a big hand in the result. This won’t be an easy game for Pitso Mosimane’s charges, especially if Robyn Johannes is fit to play.

Orlando Pirates (home)

This is undoubtedly a huge match in the title race. Bucs beat Sundowns 1-0 in the reverse fixture despite Mosimane’s men dominating possession. That was a game where they could not break down a resolute Pirates side that were holding onto a 1-0 half-time lead. Kaizer Chiefs may be hoping that this game ends in a draw so that both of their challengers drop two points.

Kaizer Chiefs title chances analysed

Highlands Park (away)

These two sides will meet in the Nedbank Cup and then again approximately a week later in the league. On what is likely to be a slow, heavy, uncut pitch and facing the man-marking, direct game favoured by Owen Da Gama, this looks to be an extremely tough match.

Maritzburg United (away)

This game is currently set to be played on a Saturday, so Downs will avoid facing Eric Tinkler’s men in one of their famed Friday home clashes. Nevertheless, this will be a very difficult match having seen how well Maritzburg matched up to Downs in the Nedbank Cup final. In the first league meeting between these teams, Tinkler’s men were outclassed, but they changed tactics for the cup final and nearly pulled off an upset.

Cape Town City (away)

Sundowns will be hoping that Jan Olde Riekerink’s men have secured PSL safety by the time this clash rolls around and will therefore have little to play for. In many games under the Dutch coach, City have left big gaps for their opponents in midfield and Downs should relish facing a team who gives them space to operate between the lines. This is a midweek game, though, and Sundowns’ freshness could be put to the test after a long season due to cup commitments.  

Golden Arrows (home)

As always, Steve Komphela will come up with a plan to nullify Sundowns and exploit any space on the counter attack using the movement and speed of Know Mutizwa and Lerato Lamola. Arrows make life very difficult for the big sides with their combative midfield and this one won’t be any different for Downs.

Crunch time for Mamelodi Sundowns

Kaizer Chiefs (away)

It goes without saying that this could be the title deciding match. Sundowns will hope that the gap is less than three points by the time this match rolls around, but even that will mean this is a must-win game and therefore Chiefs could have space to enjoy on the counter attack. Ideally, Downs would have edged in front by the time of this game and they can settle for a draw and look to win their last three matches to take the crown.

Baroka FC (home)

This looks like a game that Sundowns will win. Baroka allow plenty of space to their opponents and even the hard-running, committed game under Dylan Kerr may not be enough to keep Sundowns at bay. Having said that, Baroka had 16 shots in the first game between the sides and left with a 0-0 draw, so no game is a guaranteed three points.

Polokwane City (away)

Rise and Shine are yet another team in a relegation battle and it’s quite possible their PSL survival will still be up in the air for this game. In the run-in, it’s often hardest to face teams at the bottom of the log who are desperate to protect their livelihood. Clinton Larsen knows how to set up a side defensively to get a draw, too.

Black Leopards (home)

This game could be crucial in the title race and relegation battle, but Sundowns are good at managing desperate teams fighting for their lives having won last season’s title away at Free State Stars on the final day, to condemn Ea Lla Koto to relegation. Thankfully, this game is at home and not in Thohoyandou.

Verdict

This is a very tough end to the season for Sundowns, who could face numerous teams in a relegation battle and also have tough away trips to renowned home teams like Maritzburg and Highlands Park, whilst they play both Pirates and Chiefs too. It’s possible that Mosimane’s side may need to repeat their run of 2014 where 10 wins in a row saw them overtake a Chiefs side who had been nine points clear.