PSL weekend guide: Can Gustavo Paez keep scoring for Kaizer Chiefs?

There are four matches in the Absa Premiership this weekend with focus very much on the bottom of the Premier Soccer League table.

FRIDAY

AJAX CAPE TOWN VS FREE STATE STARS

Ajax player to watch: Prince Nxumalo

 – Nxumalo found the back of the net in Ajax’s Nedbank Cup loss to KwaDakuza United and gave a lively performance.

After a stop-start season‚ he will want to get back to top form.

Stars player to watch: Paulus Masehe

 – The old warhorse is fit again after a long layoff and continues to set the tone with his no-nonsense style in midfield.

Ajax strengths/weaknesses: Just two goals in their five league games of 2017 shows that Ajax have problems up front. They have looked better at the back in recent games.

• Ajax planning to take the game to FS Stars in relegation scrapAjax Cape Town coach Stanley Menzo says dictating the pace of the game against Free State Stars will be key when the two sides meet in a crunch league match on Friday. 

Stars strengths/weaknesses: They play a very direct game that if Ajax can counter‚ will go a long way to nullifying the threat of Stars. They battle to come up with a Plan B.

Last time they met: Ajax claimed a good 1-1 away draw at Stars in November when Bantu Mzwakali scored for them and Goodman Dlamini equalised five minutes into the second half for Ea Lla Koto.

Quick fact: Stars have only won away once in their last 16 games in all competitions – a 1-0 success at Lamontville Golden Arrows last month.

SATURDAY

BLOEMFONTEIN CELTIC VS CAPE TOWN CITY

Celtic player to watch: Deon Hotto

 – Hotto has pace to burn and the ability to get behind the City defence. He is perfect for their counter-attack style.

• Injury-hit Ajax limps towards tricky relegation tie against StarsAjax Cape Town are juggling a number of injury concerns ahead of what is shaping up to be a crucial relegation clash against Free State Stars at the Athlone Stadium on Friday. 

City player to watch: Roland Putsche

 – A strongman in the City midfield who chips in with his fair share of goals. After a slow start to his PSL career‚ he has been a real standout performer.

Celtic strengths/weaknesses: Celtic have scored just six league goals at home this season in 10 games‚ conceding 13 at the same time. It is the reason why they find themselves in the relegation mix.

City strengths/weaknesses: Much has been made of City’s attacking verve‚ and rightly so‚ but they have also tightened up at the back in recent months‚ with four clean sheets in the league in their last five games.

Last time they met: City were fortunate to come away with a 1-0 win in November‚ with Lehlohonolo Majoro getting the only goal.

That was the first game since the axing of Serame Letsoaka‚ and Saturday’s clash will be the first time on the bench for new coach Luc Eymael.

• Orlando Pirates drawn to meet Free State Stars at Goble Park again in Nedbank last-16Orlando Pirates have once again drawn Free State Stars at Goble Stadium in a cup competition, this time the Nedbank Cup last-16. 

Quick fact: City attacking midfielder Lebogang Manyama is a surprise name at the top of the Premier League’s scoring charts.

He has 11 goals‚ the same number as now out-of-form Pirates forward Tendai Ndoro.

BAROKA FC VS KAIZER CHIEFS

Baroka player to watch: Richard Matloga

 – The tricky midfielder is full of skill and could be the man to unlock the stubborn Chiefs defence.

Chiefs player to watch: Gustavo Paez

 – A very well-taken goal in his last game against Stellenbosch FC in the Nedbank Cup‚ will that open the floodgates for the Venezuelan forward?

Baroka strengths/weaknesses: Two clean sheets in a row‚ admittedly one in the Nedbank Cup against second-tier FC Cape Town‚ have been like gold for Baroka after they had been shipping goals at an alarming rate.

They still have the worst goal-difference in the league at -17.

• 'Kaizer Chiefs have never beaten us in an official match before,' says Baroka FC captainBaroka FC’s promotion to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) last May seems like a lifetime away as their fairytale ascension to the topflight is in danger of crashing down after only one season. 

Chiefs strengths/weaknesses: Chiefs are full of confidence and it is showing in their play. They are getting goals and keeping clean sheets‚ a heady mix that has reignited their league title hopes.

Last time they met: The teams played to a 0-0 draw at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban when they met in November.

Quick fact: Baroka FC are the only one of the current PSL sides that Chiefs have yet to beat. Aside from their 0-0 draw earlier this campaign‚ Baroka ousted Chiefs from the 2011 Nedbank Cup quarterfinals with a shock 2-1 success while they were still a third-tier team.

SUNDAY

HIGHLANDS PARK VS MARITZBURG UNITED

Highlands player to watch: Fikru Tefera

 – The Ethiopian forward is now at yet another top-flight club‚ he comes with bags of experience‚ can he get the goals to fire Highlands to safety?

United player to watch: Kurt Lentjies

 – Lentjies has been a talismanic figure in the past for Maritzburg and just the man to drag them out of their current crisis.

• Mathoho urges Chiefs colleagues to keep their eye on the prizeKaizer Chiefs have to regain their focus in the Absa Premiership‚ which is wide open and only heating up now‚ said their centreback stalwart Mulomowandau Mathoho. 

Highlands strengths/weaknesses: Highlands may be having a dismal season‚ but they don’t lose many at home‚ only three of their 10 league matches in Tembisa have ended in defeat.

United strengths/weaknesses: Sloppiness has been a recurring theme for Maritzburg and unless they cut out the silly errors‚ they will struggle for the rest of this season.

Last time they met: Their last meeting in November was also their first and ended in a 1-1 draw in Maritzburg‚ with the home side finishing with 10 men after a red card for Bevan Fransman.

Devon Saal had given United the lead but Mpho Sitayitayi equalised for Highlands.

Quick fact: Maritzburg have one win in their last eight games (2-1 at home to Free State Stars) and have lost four of their last five in all competitions. Not a great start for new coach Roger de Sa.

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport