Five reasons why Mamelodi Sundowns will beat Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns will serve up another classic when they clash in the PSL on Wednesday.

Chiefs have started the season in fine fashion, putting together a three-match winning run in the league that has seen them move joint top and two points ahead of the Brazilians.

However, their games have been against Stellenbosch, Polokwane City and Richards Bay with Sundowns set to present a tougher test even if Miguel Cardoso’s side are rocked by problems on and off the pitch.

So, with Chiefs flying off the blocks, what will give Sundowns an edge over them in this encounter?

Great head-to-head record

Mamelodi Sundowns have bossed Chiefs in recent years and will head into the clash at FNB Stadium confident of getting another three points.

This is because in their last 13 meetings, Chiefs have beaten Sundowns just once, with the Brazilians winning 10 while two ended in draws.

Chiefs’ win over Sundowns was a 2-1 win in last season’s Nedbank Cup semi-final but the PSL champions had already won three previous meetings last term, when they scored seven goals while Chiefs managed just one over that period, something that will give Cardoso’s men confidence of a win.

Chiefs’ shaky defence

Kaizer Chiefs fans will perhaps disagree with this point given they are yet to concede in their first three matches, which they have won 2-0, 1-0 and 1-0 but a closer look at their display tells a different story.

Against Stellenbosch, Chiefs were easily carved open while they struggled with set-pieces and only poor finishing from Steve Barker’s men saved Amakhosi the blushes.

It was the same against Polokwane, especially in the first half, and in some moments in the match against Richards Bay, and while they were let off the hook, quality players like what Sundowns have will be unforgiving. This is likely to give the Brazilians a win if they enforce themselves on their hosts.

Sundowns’ superior quality

Meanwhile, there is a reason why Sundowns have won the last eight league titles while Chiefs are still waiting for a league crown since 2015.

The answer is that Sundowns have the best team in the country and even with the wantaway Lucas Ribeiro out of the squad, the Brazilians still possess enough quality to go on a long run of wins which will be too hard for others to catch up.

While Chiefs have been brilliant so far, it is hard to see how they can compete pound for pound with the experienced and full of quality Sundowns who have two or even three great players in every position.

Pressure of expectations on Chiefs

Football is played with the legs but the mind plays a large part in the direction of the tie and on Wednesday, pressure will be on Chiefs, which will likely play in the hands of Sundowns.

The Glamour Boys are the home team and also the form side and will be needed to prove that their wins have not been a fluke, making it a must-win game which will be dangerous against a relaxed and quality Sundowns.

Need to silence their critics

Few will remember that Sundowns similarly started last season in less than impressive fashion before they picked up steam and it will be naïve for their supporters and rival fans to underrate them this early.

The Brazilians are used to getting this and will be seeking to prove that they are still the team to beat for the title against Chiefs, which will see them come out of the blocks swiftly, something Amakhosi might struggle to cope with.