Bidvest Wits vs Kaizer Chiefs – our predictions
Last weekend both Jonty Mark and Khaya Ndubane failed to correctly predict the winner between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns, with the game ending in a 0-0 draw.
George Maluleka of Kaizer Chiefs challenged by James Keene of Bidvest Wits. (Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix)
This time, the two go head-to-head again as they cast their verdict on the winner of Saturday’s league match between Wits and Kaizer Chiefs.
Why Wits will win (Jonty Mark, Phakaaathi Editor)
Bidvest Wits have, at last, started to right an Absa Premiership ship that has been sailing in the wrong direction for much of the season.
The Clever Boys have made a complete mess of the defence of their league title, but three wins and a draw in four matches have at least lifted them out of the relegation zone, and back towards restoring some measure of respectability.
Ahead of Saturday evening’s meeting with Kaizer Chiefs, Gavin Hunt’s side can take heart from a decent record against Amakhosi in the last couple of campaigns.
Wits have beaten Chiefs in their last two meetings at Bidvest Stadium, in the first league game of last season, and in the semifinal of this year’s Telkom Knockout, which Wits went on to win.
Hunt has had his injury problems this season, but he now has an almost fully-fit squad to select from, while his January additions have given the side some impetus, with Edwin Gyimah doing well in the heart of midfield, Sifisio Myeni making the most of his return to the club and Lehlohonolo Majoro working tirelessly in attack, even if he still hasn’t got that first goal.
Striker James Keene, meanwhile, who scored the winner against Chiefs in the TKO semifinals, has three in his last three appearances as Wits finally look to have at least partly solved their goalscoring woes.
Chiefs are also in good form, unbeaten in six games, but I do think Wits can cause them problems on Saturday, and test a fairly inexperienced Amakhosi back four. It will be a tight affair, but I am going to back Wits to win 2-1.
Prediction: Bidvest Wits 2 Kaizer Chiefs 1
Why Chiefs will win (Khaya Ndubane, Online Content Manager)
Chiefs are yet to taste defeat in 2018 and I see them keeping their unbeaten run when they face Wits today. Wits might be in good form, but by Gavin Hunt’s own admission, they are far from convincing. They look vulnerable at the back. They conceded a goal in the dying minutes of the match against Chippa United to draw the match, having led the game in the 22nd minute through Vincent Pule.
The Students found themselves trailing against SuperSport United in their last game, but they managed to win the game convincingly in the end. But if they were facing an organised team like Chiefs, they could have well lost that game.
Chiefs have bought quality players in the January transfer and that has given them an edge over their opponents so far because no coach is able to predict which team they’ll face on the day. And with players like Siphelele Ntshangase and Dumisani Zuma able to change the game at any given time for Amakhosi, I’m sure coach Gavin Hunt had a tough time planning for this one.
Games between the sides have been won by an odd goal, so I predict a 1-0 win for Chiefs today.
Prediction: Bidvest Wits 0 Kaizer Chiefs 1
