Bidvest Wits vs Orlando Pirates – our predictions

This time, the two go head-to-head again as they cast their verdict on the winner of Saturday’s league match between Wits and Orlando Pirates.

Why Pirates will win (Jonty Mark, Phakaaathi Editor)

There wasn’t a lot of hope flying around at Orlando Pirates when Milutin Sredojevic took the head coaching job ahead of this season. Muhsin Ertugral, Augusto Palacios and lastly Kjell Jonevret had presided over a 2016/17 campaign that was steeped in mediocrity. Pirates’ defence had been leakier than the last throes of the Titanic, letting in a whopping 40 goals in 30 Absa Premiership matches. Sredojevic, meanwhile, came in on the back of notable success with the Ugandan national team, but also with a patchy record from his first spell in charge of the Buccaneers. Quickly, however, the Pirates ship has found steadier waters under his wise hand. The transformation at the back has been most remarkable, with just a single goal conceded in five league matches. Wayne Sandilands looks the perfect fit in goal, finally someone who might just be able to fill those boots left behind by the senseless murder of Senzo Meyiwa. Innocent Maela has been a revelation at left back and even Happy Jele seems to be, well, happy again. At the other end of the field, Pirates are not exactly thrilling, but if you keep clean sheets, one goal is often enough, as the Buccaneers have proved already three times this season. Pirates couldn’t really ask for a better time to be facing Wits than Saturday, Gavin Hunt’s side reigning champions a flailing defensive mess at the moment. And I expect the Buccaneers to only add to their pain.

Prediction – Wits 0 Pirates 1

Why Pirates will win (Khaya Ndubane, Online Content Manager)

Wits are going through a rough patch at the moment, having gone five league games without a win. This is arguably the worst start by the defending Absa Premiership champions and the humiliating 3-0 loss to AmaZulu midweek has not helped matters either. Wits players knows that the club’s fortunes need to change soon if they’re to avoid fighting for relegation this season. What a better way to do that than to beat the high-flying Orlando Pirates outfit. The Wits players showed during the 1-1 draw against Kaizer Chiefs recently that they can rise to the occasion. The Students were unlucky not to register their first win of the season against Amakhosi. They showed a lot of hunger and determination in that game, something that was missing in their previous games. If they can play like they did against Chiefs, Wits will win definitely win against the Buccaneers. Plus players do not need a motivation against a big team like Pirates. I think Wits will finally register their first win of the season tonight.

Prediction – Wits 2 Pirates 1