LEAGUE SUMMIT BECKONS

MBABANE – The MTN Premier League title race looks set to take a new corner after tomorrow’s fixtures.

Analysing the log standings, the clubs’ first round results and recent form, police ensemble Royal Leopard, are most likely to occupy the top spot for the first time this season, toppling first round winners Green Mamba, who have a tall order against army side Young Buffaloes.

Leopard will be home to Sundowns at Somhlolo National Stadium as of 2pm before another title-chasing team, Mbabane Highlanders take on Malanti Chiefs at 4:10pm. Green Mamba will be playing at Mavuso Sports Centre at 2pm before the hub derby between Moneni Pirates and Manzini Wanderers, which is more of a relegation fight.

Defending champions Mbabane Swallows face their hoodoo side in sixth-placed Manzini Sea Birds at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium at 3pm, and the former are the dark horses as they are fifth and five points behind Green Mamba with 10 matches to go. The log shows that Leopard only have to play  Sundowns and hope for a draw in the forces’ top-of-the-table clash between Buffaloes and Green Mamba.

tough

The reverse fixture was tough for both teams and ended 1-all, Leopard conceding late in the second half but their current form and that of Sundowns, is convincing they can get the full points here. Sundowns recently lost 3-0 to relegation troubled Matsapha United, and won in penalties in the EswatiniBank Cup, while Leopard won their last league match 2-0 against Malanti Chiefs while also needing a penalty shootout to advance in the EswatiniBank Cup 2019 last week.

For Leopard and of course Highlanders and Swallows, if it is not a draw for Green Mamba, then they would prefer a loss while they try to win and catch up. Leopard will be two points clear if they take the summit with a Green Mamba defeat, who are likely to go on second on better goal difference to Buffaloes and Highlanders who must also beat Malanti – they did it in the Ingwenyama Cup, winning 2-0 in the semis.

If Green Mamba draws, Leopard wins, they will remain at the summit but a loss for the Caleb Ngwenya-coached side and of course for Leopard, will only favour Buffaloes, Highlanders and Swallows if they annex all three points in their matches, as the points would be level at 35 for the first two clubs and Swallows will close in as the gap can be reduced to just three points from the current five. It’s a mouth-watering football feast in the MTN Premier League tomorrow.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: