Soweto Derby: Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction

Kaizer Chiefs come into this clash in woeful form and are under immense pressure from the club’s enthusiastic fanbase aiming to arrest a six-match winless streak in the Betway Premiership.

With the majority of Amakhosi fans calling for coach Nasreddine Nabi to be sacked, while the remainder believes that proper recruitment is urgently required to give the Tunisian tactician a fair shot against the likes of perennial champions Mamelodi Sundowns and bitter cross town rivals Orlando Pirates.

The Glamour Boys have been poor on their recent travels, unable to clinch maximum points in four Betway Premiership games. They suffered three defeats at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns (1-0), Richards Bay FC (2-0), and Golden Arrows (2-1) while sharing the spoils from a goalless draw in Gqeberha against Chippa United.

Disappointingly scoring just once in four away matches would surely be an area of concern for coach Nabi and his finishers to improve on. Although, Kaizer Chiefs haven’t excelled at the FNB Stadium either with just one victory from their past six home games.

An Ashley Du Preez goal edged a (1-0) win over relegation-threatened Magesi FC while settling for a share of the spoils against AmaZulu (2-2), Cape Town City (0-0), and TS Galaxy (1-1). 

They suffered a humiliating defeat against an out-of-sorts SuperSport United (1-4), and most recently loss to Marumo Gallants (1-2).

Orlando Pirates were on the cusp of meeting Mamelodi Sundowns in an all-South African CAF Champions League final but were undone during the final 30 minutes against Egyptian club Pyramids FC, surrendering their 2-1 lead after conceding two late goals that broke the Buccaneers’ hearts.

Coach Jose Riveiro has since come under heavy criticism following his attack-minded substitutions which later led to Pyramids FC scoring twice afterwards. However, Riveiro must now switch his focus to finishing the Betway Premiership in search of Mamelodi Sundowns and adding to the club’s trophy cabinet in their Nedbank Cup final clash against Kaizer Chiefs.

Prior to their midweek game against high-flying Sekhukhune United, Orlando Pirates were unbeaten in four Betway Premiership matches. They shared the spoils in a goalless draw with Stellenbosch FC while overcoming Chippa United (0-1), Mamelodi Sundowns (2-1), and Polokwane City (0-1) to claim maximum points.

Away from the Orlando Stadium, the Buccaneers have kept three consecutive clean sheets in the Betway Premiership against Chippa United, Stellenbosch FC and Polokwane City.

During their last league visit to the FNB Stadium, Orlando Pirates were victorious, courtesy of an Evidence Makgopa goal, with goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi keeping a clean sheet. Meanwhile, Sipho Chaine tallied another clean sheet when these teams faced off at the Orlando Stadium earlier this season as Patrick ‘Tito’ Maswanganyi ensured the Buccaneers claimed maximum points from the penalty spot in injury time with a cheeky Panenka.

If you’re searching for a negative, it would possibly be Orlando Pirates scoring just three goals from their last five away matches with two of those goals being scored by central defender Nkosinathi Sibisi.

Coach Jose Riveiro suffered two losses during his first two Soweto Derbies against Kaizer Chiefs but has since gone on to convincingly win his next four matches against Amakhosi. Last month, prior to the CAF Champions League knockout stages, the Spanish manager announced that he would be stepping down as Orlando Pirates coach come the end of the season.

Riveiro has taken this team from strength to strength, uncovering numerous young gems that will serve South African football in the upcoming generation.