Mamelodi Sundowns vs Bloemfontein Celtic – our predictions
The Absa Premiership is in full swing this weekend, with the pick of the ties being the clash Mamelodi Sundowns and Bloemfontein Celtic at Loftus Stadium today.
Thabo Nthehe from Mamelodi Sundowns during the Absa Premiership match between Bloemfontein Celtic FC and Mamelodi Sundowns at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium on 21 October 2015. ©Gerhard Steenkamp/BackpagePix
Phakaaathi’s Jonty Mark and Khaya Ndubane give their views on who will win, and why.
Why Celtic will win (Jonty Mark, Phakaaathi Editor)
Bloemfontein Celtic, all of a sudden, look like they might just be the side to stop Mamelodi Sundowns from walking away with this season’s Absa Premiership title.
Veselin Jelusic has worked wonders at Phunya Sele Sele since taking over at the start of this season, reaching the Telkom Knockout final, as well as guiding Celtic to fourth in the table, six points behind Masandawana, but having played the same amount of games, unlike most others trailing the league leaders.
As such, Celtic would really throw the cat among the pigeons if they could grab a victory at Loftus Stadium this afternoon. Sundowns have done better away from home than on their own turf this season, finding it difficult to break down opponents who sit back and hit them on the break. And that is exactly what I expect Jelusic to do, and why I think Celtic will nick this game, to end Sundowns’ excellent unbeaten run, and breathe new life into the title race. 1-0 to Celtic.
Prediction: Mamelodi Sundowns 0 Bloemfontein Celtic 1
Why Sundowns will win (Khaya Ndubane, Online Content Manager)
Sundowns are on a good run, having won their last three matches and sitting comfortable at the top of the table, and the Brazilians will be looking to extend their lead over second-placed Orlando Pirates to eight points. Granted, Celtic have done well under Veselin Jelusic, but they’re facing a Sundowns side that’s not only on the roll, but a Brazilians side that last conceded a goal at the beginning of November during the 3-1 win over Pirates. Last season, Sundowns took four points off Celtic, having beaten them 1-0 away in Bloemfontein before playing to a 0-0 draw against them. Sundowns are also coming into this match looking for revenge, having lost on penalties to Siwelele in the Telkom Knockout this season. I therefore predict a comfortable 3-0 win for Sundowns today.
Prediction: Mamelodi Sundowns 3 Bloemfontein Celtic 0
