PSL relegation scrap hots up

The Absa Premiership, especially for those with a keen interest in the relegation dogfight that is about to unfold.

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The Absa Premiership, especially for those with a keen interest in the relegation dogfight that is about to unfold, might not be easy on the eye in the coming weeks.

It’s about points, not sexy football, for Polokwane City (13th place), Jomo Cosmos (14th), University of Pretoria (15th) and bottom side Maritzburg United.

You could argue that Bloemfontein Celtic have enough quality to move up the table, while Free State Stars, fresh off a morale-boosting victory over Orlando Pirates this week, could still be dragged into the scrap to avoid the drop.

This weekend sees relegation candidates come up against traditionally stronger opponents, with some shock results highly likely.

We look at what’s on offer further down the table, where the fight for survival is real:

Polokwane City v Ajax Cape Town, 3.30pm today

The hosts would have watched last night’s clash between fellow struggles AmaTuks at title chasers Bidvest Wits hoping for a favourable result.

Ajax are desperate to get back into the top eight to get a shot at defending their MTN8 trophy next season, but City won’t be push-overs.

The visitors took a big scalp recently when they beat SuperSport United in their own backyard to hand new coach Stuart Baxter defeat so soon after his arrival at the club.

But they are inconsistent, which offers the Limpopo outfit some hope. City have got goals in them and might prove a handful.

Chippa United v Free State Stars, 3.30pm today

A draw would actually be a decent result for both clubs, who are in sixth and seventh place respectively.

The two sides left it late last season to confirm their status as PSL clubs, having fought until the bitter end.

Stars moved from 12th and into the top eight with their win over Pirates, proving that the margins between the teams are thin.

A run of bad results and they are back in the relegation scrap.

Chippa have been on the up and up since the arrival of Dan Malesela as caretaker coach in December and the style of football dished out by the Chilli Boyz has been of high quality.

Platinum Stars v Jomo Cosmos, 3.30pm tomorrow

It’s another tough trip for Cosmos, who suffered a 2-1 defeat to Dikwena in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season in Potchefstroom.

Winning at home and settling for a point away from home seems to be the strategy for coach Jomo Sono.

Bloemfontein Celtic v Maritzburg United, 3.30pm tomorrow

We are still waiting for Ernst Middendorp to pick up his first win at Maritzburg since leaving Free State Stars, who were in 10th place at the time, confident he can turn the tide at his new club. He will fancy his chances against Serame Letsoaka, who has managed a single victory in eight games since he arrived in Bloemfontein two months ago. - Saturday Star