Another round of interesting matches in the Super league
SATURDAY – 27/04/19
STREAM A
Zesco United Vs Mufulira Wanderers
Levy Mwanawasa Stadium
15:00Hrs
A fixture that has produced plenty of goals in the last few seasons. There have been four or more goals in four of the past seven meetings and it would not be at all surprising if that run continues.
In 2017 before Mufulira Wanderers was relegated, Zesco United won 4-2 at home and had earlier beaten Mighty 2-1 away . Already this season Mufulira Wanderers got a big victory against the defending Champions in the first round, that game ended 2-1. These numbers suggest there could be a similar scoreline on the cards here. Mufulira Wanderers are looking to extend their stay in the Super League but they will have to bounce back after a rough run of results. They have lost five of the last six and only drawing one in that period.
ZESCO United on the other hand have experienced a minor bad run of late and will want to keep gaining ground on other sides in the title race. Hence this tie is crucial both on the title race and relegation.
The problem for Mufulira Wanderers is that goals have been a real issue for them all season and it is hard to see them keeping pace with ZESCO United here.
My Prediction: ZESCO United 3-0 Mufulira Wanderers
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Kabwe Warriors Vs Green Buffaloes
Godfrey Chitalu Stadium
15:00hrs
Kabwe Warrior’s unbeaten run is still intact, but with last week’s activities one will hope its not an aberration or a sign of things to come. Have the fans gotten so used to not losing that a loss could bring such scenes that we saw last week. How possible is it that a winning team would cause an abandonment in a game they are winning? Fans shouldn’t give an opportunity of drama to the visiting teams. They have a good season which they need to protect .
Green Buffaloes meanwhile have to back up after a huge derby disappointment and try to get things back on track. They drew 1-1 after leading against Red Arrows . They need the three points to improve their position on the log. They are sixth and they will remain on the same position with whatever happens this weekend. This has been a favourable fixture for the Soldiers winning the 12 of the last 24 meetings with only 3 wins for Kabwe Warriors coupled with 9 draws .
Even so, with the residual mental hangover from the teargas they should be able to shake off that disappointment and come away with another draw here. That has been the results of the the last two games in this fixture. And anyway a draw is always a celebrated result in Kabwe .
My Prediction: Kabwe Warriors 1-1 Green Buffaloes
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Nakambala Leopards Vs Zanaco
Nakambala Stadium
15:00hrs
Now comes the weekly search for a value play in a ZANACO game where they are heavy favourites.
Nakambala Leopards have always struggled against ZANACO and the statistics are not encouraging. From the last 21 games , the sugar boys counts only one win and what is worrying is the high number of goals they have conceded. ZANACO have scored 40 goals in that period with only 12 for Nakambala Leopards.
During that period ZANACO have won 14 and drawing six. Nakambala Leopards would be okay picking a draw from the league leaders and Numba would be disappointed dropping points here with a heated run for the title that we are seeing at the top.
There is not a lot to be said about this game other than that it is highly likely to be another mismatch, even if ZANACO look to rotate their squad a bit. The low point for ZANACO is the number of goals they have conceded (19) which is the worst in stream A alongside Prison Leopards and Mufulira Wanderers.
My Prediction: Nakambala Leopards 1-2 ZANACO
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Kitwe United Vs Prison Leopards
Garden Park Stadium
15:00hrs
Two sides lingering with relegation at the end of the table face off at the Garden Park Stadium and Kitwe United enter this game as heavy favourites.
Both sides have conceded plenty of goals so expect plenty of chances in this one, the question is whether the strikers have the capacity to take advantage of them when presented.
Kitwe United are from a very good away win in Mufulira while Prison Leopards have lost their last four and it would be a big surprise if they did not make it five here.
My Prediction: Kitwe United 2-1 Prison Leopards
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SUNDAY – 28/04/19
Lusaka Dynamos Vs Red Arrows
National Heroes Stadium
15:00hrs
Live on SuperSport
How will Red Arrows back up from their Lusaka derby against Green Buffaloes with another Lusaka Derby , this time with joint leaders in Lusaka Dynamos?
Lusaka Dynamos have been little more than a speedbump for them in the past seasons, dropping points in 11 games from the past 19 games when these teams have met.
While Lusaka Dynamo’s busy fixture list is likely to make them finish in the top two and subsequently qualify for CAF, this won’t be the week, they shouldn’t handle Red Arrows easily because they are a good team this season.
Red Arrows have been good in the last six games with three wins but Lusaka Dynamos has been better and if current form is a measure to go with, then Lusaka Dynamos is winning this Lusaka Derby.
My Prediction: Lusaka Dynamos 2-1 Red Arrows
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STREAM B
SATURDAY – 27/04/19
Circuit City Vs Power Dynamos
Woodlands Stadium
Live on SuperSport
13:00hrs
On the plus side for Circuit City in this game, they are at home, where they have recorded three of their wins this season. On the downside for Circuit City, they are facing a Power Dynamos side with a decent away record and will have no problems heaping pressure on a side still adapting to a new manager.
As a weird twist of fate, this will be their second League meeting as this is the first season for Circuit City in this league and Power Dynamos won the first game at Arthur Davies Stadium. If this game is a replica of the first leg contest then we are in for a treat.
Despite playing away from home, Power Dynamos are the more talented side and they have won three of their five victories so far away from home. Its the second game of the big man, Kabole and again all eyes will be on the tactical approach of the man. We are here to see what the going back to the grass meant last weekend after the 2-0 loss to Nkana.
Circuit City have lost their last six games and they will be fighting to stop that run in this one. It’s a tight game and remember the energy in this Circuit City is what has given a lot of teams challenges when they play this team in Lusaka .
My Prediction: Circuit City 2-2 Power Dynamos
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Napsa Stars Vs Buildcon
Woodlands Stadium
15:00hrs
Live on SuperSport
After three years between meetings, these sides are now preparing for their sixth clash from the time Buildcon announced their presence in the Super League. The five games played are divided into two wins for Buildcon and one for Napsa with two draws.
With a draw, in the first round in Ndola this season, everything about this clash, including the market has this highlighted as an even matchup.
Napsa Stars have been battling at home and have managed to win two and drawing one with two losses of their five games at home , despite plenty of low scoring battles.
Buildcon boasts of winning their last three away games and they will hope that run continues when these sides face off here.
If Fathi believes he can surpise everyone and break into the CAF slots, this is a game that brings that test to the experienced coach and he will have to show it here that he is up for the two slots. A win takes Napsa to 20 points still on 5th but they could have closed the gap with the chasing pack , depending with the results involving the top four teams. It looks possible.
My Prediction: Napsa Stars 1-0 Buildcon
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Nkana Vs FC. MUZA
Nkana Stadium
15:00hrs
Things just go from bad to worse for MUZA after their loss to Nkwazi at the weekend.
As a follow up act to that disappointment they face the very desperate Nkana coming from African safari and already are on a must win situation after a surprising 4-1 defeat in the mid week. Their good work of beating Power Dynamos last week has already been forgotten and they have to erase the loss to Green Eagles in this fixture.
They did play to a draw away to MUZA in the first round but that’s it, after that MUZA is struggling with losses and should they lose this one it will be five straight losses .
Unfortunately the market also knows this is a big ask for MUZA to get anything out of this game and the prices reflect that, so look for a Nkana win for a good value play in this game for those on the stream of betting.
My Prediction: Nkana 2-0 MUZA
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Lumwana Radiants Vs Forest Rangers
Lumwana Stadium
15:00hrs
The temptation here would be to massively overreact to Lumwana Radiants most recent results. They are the home team and with two losses on a bounce , its this game that they need to correct things .
Forest Rangers pulled off a spectacular win in Ndola against Circuit City last Friday while Radiants were left frustrated after more dropped points against Napsa Stars in Lusaka. Remember their last home game ended in another frustrating 1-0 loss to Buildcon.
While every Forest Rangers fan would love to add to Radiant’s misery with a big win away from home, they will likely have to settle for a draw here or actually lost to the North Western outfit.
My Prediction: Lumwana Radiants 1-1 Forest Rangers
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Sunday – 28/04/19
Nkwazi Vs Green Eagles
National Heroes Stadium
Live on SuperSport
13:00hrs
Green Eagles make the trip to the Edwin Imboela Stadium trying to manage that unbeaten record they have put up in the last three visits . Eagles have drawn the last three visits to Edwin Imboela Stadium. The last time they lost was in 2015 .
In fact, in the recent era, this has been a very profitable fixture for Nkwazi with victories on the road and draws at home and average of goals coming in these games. Nkwazi has scored 13 goals in this fixture in the last 13 games while Green Eagles count 10 and look like putting that ratio over the half mark when they play here, which sets up an encouraging Same Game Multi.
The head to head market offers great value on a Nkwazi win here and that is the pick here. But Green Eagles want to still be in leadership and making it for CAF. Its tight .
My Prediction: Nkwazi 1-1 Green Eagles
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Thanks for Reading ……Enjoy the games
