TIPSTERS' TABLE: Exciting weekend ahead in the Premiership and CAF Champions League

The Betway Premiership and CAF continental competitions promise a thrilling weekend of football as clubs across the country.

From Soweto to Umlazi and Polokwane to East London, supporters can look forward to high-stakes encounters, derby drama and the chance to see new Premiership sides tested against seasoned campaigners.

Orlando Pirates headline the continental action as they look to seal progression in the CAF Confederation Cup, while domestic heavyweights like Mamelodi Sundowns focus on maintaining momentum or bouncing back in the league.

For newcomers like Orbit College and Durban City, this weekend represents another opportunity to prove their credentials in South Africa’s top flight. At the same time, struggling outfits such as Siwelele FC will be desperate to turn their fortunes around.

Golden Arrows vs Orbit College @ King Zwelithini Stadium, Umlazi, Saturday, 3pm

Golden Arrows welcome newcomers Orbit College in a Betway Premiership clash that pits seasoned campaigners against fresh top-flight faces.

Abafana Bes’thende will be aiming to bounce back from a mixed start to the campaign, and with home advantage at the King Zwelithini Stadium, Manqoba Mngqithi will expect his side to show greater consistency.

Their pace on the counter and ability to unsettle defences could be decisive in what is expected to be a tight affair. Orbit College, in their debut Premiership season, arrive buoyed by a morale-boosting midweek victory — their second in eight matches so far.

Betting odds: Golden Arrows: 2.22 | Draw: 2.80 | Orbit College: 3.85

Prediction: Golden Arrows 1 Orbit College 0

Kaizer Chiefs versus Kabuscorp SC @ FNB Stadium, Soweto, Saturday, 3pm

Kaizer Chiefs find themselves at a critical juncture as they prepare to host Angolan side Kabuscorp at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, following a disheartening 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round tie.

The team’s hopes of progressing in the tournament are now uncertain, and they desperately need a win to revive their continental campaign. The outcome of the first leg not only dampened Kaizer Chiefs’ aspirations but also highlighted the ongoing turmoil within the club, further complicated by controversial contract negotiations surrounding the departure of their head coach, Nasreddine Nabi.

Since away goals serve as the first tiebreaker in two-legged CAF Confederation Cup matches, if Kabuscorp score at the FNB Stadium, Chiefs will need to score three times to remain in the tournament.

Betting odds: Kaizer Chiefs FC 5.6 | Draw 3.45 | Kabuscorp SC 1.67

Prediction: Kaizer Chiefs FC 1 Kabuscorp SC 1

Orlando Pirates vs Lioli FC @ Orlando Stadium, Soweto, Saturday, 5pm

After winning the first leg 3-0, Pirates are clear favourites to advance to the next round of the CAF Confederation Cup.

It would be asking too much of the Lesotho visitors to score at least three goals to stand a chance of progressing. Pirates are at home, on a four-match winning streak, and boast a strong defensive record. Expect heavy squad rotation, but the prediction still favours Pirates for another 3-0 win — for a 6-0 aggregate score.

Reigning Lesotho champions Lioli are coached by South African Bongani Maseko, who insists the tie is not over and may try to attack in Soweto. The club also has a handful of players with South African football experience.

Betting odds: Orlando Pirates FC 1.12 | Draw 7.34 | Lioli FC 16.57

Prediction: Orlando Pirates FC 3 Lioli FC 0

Polokwane City vs Sekhukhune United @ Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, Saturday, 5.30pm

Log-leading Sekhukhune United will look to extend their impressive start to the Betway Premiership when they face Polokwane City in a unique Limpopo derby at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium — a venue both sides call home.

Eric Tinkler’s men have surged to the summit thanks to defensive stability and Bradley Grobler’s sharp finishing. Babina Noko have established themselves as early-season pace-setters and will be determined to maintain momentum.

Polokwane City, however, will not be overawed. Rise and Shine are equally familiar with the Peter Mokaba surface, meaning no true home advantage for Sekhukhune. That familiarity, coupled with derby intensity, should give Polokwane extra motivation to spring a surprise.

Betting odds: Polokwane City: 3.35 | Draw: 2.75 | Sekhukhune United: 2.44

Prediction: Polokwane City 1 Sekhukhune United 2

Durban City vs Magesi FC @ Chatsworth Stadium, Durban Saturday, 8pm

Durban City will welcome Magesi FC to Chatsworth Stadium looking to continue their strong start in the top flight.

The Citizens have collected 12 points from their opening eight matches, a tally that leaves them sixth and ahead of expectations. Magesi arrive on the back of heartbreak, having suffered their third defeat of the season when Richards Bay’s Lindokuhle Zikhali struck late in a 1-0 loss.

City, meanwhile, bounced back strongly from a 3-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns, grinding out a morale-boosting 0-0 draw against Stellies. Heading into this fixture, they will once again be tough to beat at home.

Betting odds: Durban City win  2.38   I  Draw  2.70   I  Magesi FC win  3.55

Prediction: Durban City 2 Magesi FC 1

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Richards Bay FC @ Lucas Moripe Stadium, Atteridgeville, Saturday, 8pm

Mamelodi Sundowns suffered their first defeat of the season, going down 1-0 to Golden Arrows at King Zwelithini Stadium.

Although it was their only loss so far, the result has piled pressure on coach Miguel Cardoso, who must now deliver a positive outcome against a confident Richards Bay side on a solid run of form.

The Brazilians will welcome a return to Lucas Moripe Stadium, as another away assignment so soon after the Arrows setback would have been daunting. Nevertheless, given their depth and quality, Sundowns are well-positioned to push for a sixth victory of the campaign.

Betting odds: Mamelodi Sundowns 1.28 I Draw 4.80 I Richards Bay FC 13.00 

Prediction: Mamelodi Sundowns 3 Richards Bay 0

Siwelele v Marumo Gallants @ Petrus Molemela Stadium, Bloemfontein, Sunday, 3pm

Siwelele have endured a topsy-turvy start to the season, muddied by both on-field and off-field issues.

They’ve collected only four points from a possible 24, with one win, one draw and six losses — leaving them rooted at the bottom of the table.Management instability has compounded matters, with senior officials such as CEO Stan Matthews being released.

Coach Lehlohonolo Seema insists his troops will be a different team in the derby and has promised fans a second win of the season after losing to Orlando Pirates at home. But Gallants arrive high in confidence after holding Kaizer Chiefs to a draw away.

Betting Odds: Siwelele 2.45 | Draw 2.90 | Marumo Gallants 3.00

Prediction: Siwelele 0 Marumo Gallants 2

Chippa United v Stellenbosch @ Buffalo City Stadium, East London, Sunday, 5.30pm

The arrival of Luc Eymael has injected a fresh spark into Chippa United, who have collected four points from six since his appointment.

The Chilli Boys also showed resilience by holding log leaders Sekhukhune to a draw — though they felt aggrieved, blaming referee Philangenkosi Khumalo’s officiating and writing to SAFA in protest.

Stellenbosch, meanwhile, have endured a poor run, going winless in their last five league matches. They will be desperate for a turnaround against Chippa.

Betting Odds: Chippa United 3.75 | Draw 3.10 | Stellenbosch 2.05

Prediction: Chippa 1 Stellenbosch 1