Betway Premiership 2025-26: Round 1 match by match preview & predictions

PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns will be the first on the pitch as the 2025-26 league season kicks off on Saturday.

Sundowns will visit Chippa United in the early kick off on Saturday while Orlando Pirates will play Sekhukhune United in the late kick off the same day.

Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs are away to Stellenbosch FC on Sunday in what is a tricky match but how are all the matchday one fixtures likely to turn out?

SATURDAY  9 AUGUST, 2025

Chippa United vs Mamelodi Sundowns (15:00)

Sundowns open their campaign away to Chippa at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and after their 4-0 thrashing of Richards Bay in the MTN8 quarter-final last Sunday, added to their seven-match winning run against the Chilli Boys, this should be an easy one for Miguel Cardoso’s men.

Prediction: Chippa 0-3 Sundowns

AmaZulu FC vs Orbit College (15:00)

Even with the signing of Mannapule Saleng, newly-promoted Orbit College are likely to have a hard time against Arthur Zwane’s AmaZulu, who have strengthened the squad, and are looking to improve on their sixth-place finish of last season.

Prediction: AmaZulu 2-0 Orbit College

Richards Bay vs Marumo Gallants (15:00)

A tricky match for both sides, who are looking to survive relegation again, and with almost similar quality in their squads, this should end in a stalemate.

Prediction: Richards Bay 1-1 Gallants

Polokwane City vs Magesi (15:00)

Polokwane City are smarting from their 2-0 loss to Pirates in the MTN8 last Saturday and will want to get back to winning ways against a Magesi side that will come with a defensive mindset to pick up a point.

Prediction: Polokwane 1-0 Magesi

Orlando Pirates vs Sekhukhune United (17:30)

A tough match awaits the hosts at Orlando Stadium as Sekhukhune are not an easy nut to crack and coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will need to devise a formula to stop Eric Tinkler’s men although the quality of Pirates should prevail.

Prediction: Pirates 2-1 Sekhukhune

Siwelele FC vs Golden Arrows (20:00)

Not an easy match for either side after their struggles of last season but of the two teams, it is Manqoba Mngqithi’s side that are more settled as Siwelele are still going through many changes and Golden Arrows could edge this one.

Prediction: Siwelele 0-1 Golden Arrows

SUNDAY 10 AUGUST, 2025

TS Galaxy vs Durban City (15:00)

TS Galaxy have just unveiled a host of new signings and have a coach who has served since last November, leading them to fifth place last season, and should give them an upper hand against newly-promoted Durban City, even if they have hired veteran coach Gavin Hunt.

Prediction: Galaxy 1-0 Durban City

Stellenbosch FC vs Kaizer Chiefs (17:30)

The highlight match of matchday one, Stellenbosch and Kaizer Chiefs will be looking to start off brilliantly but they come into the match in contrasting forms.

Stellies won their MTN8 quarter-final 3-2 against AmaZulu last Sunday and that lifted confidence but they have beaten Chiefs just once in their last five meetings, giving Nasreddine Nabi’s side the psychological edge.  

Prediction: Stellenbosch 2-2 Kaizer Chiefs