The year 2024 has witnessed a shift in the balance of power in the PSL with some giants either falling off or improving while other mid table sides have surprised.
As the year comes to a close, there is already an indication of how the 2024-25 season will pan out, even if the campaign is just halfway done, with the title contenders and relegation candidates already being mapped out.
However, there is still much more to play for besides the title as a top four finish guarantees continental football while finishing among the top eight earns a place in the MTN8.
So, which team will likely finish where, as we head into 2025?
Title contenders
Mamelodi Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns have made the PSL title their own in the last seven years and it will be hard to take it away from them even if the competition is tight this season.
The Brazilians are already top of the table at Christmas which is an indication of where they will likely finish.
However, Sundowns’ main problem is that they are not far off from their closest challengers like the other years, going into the festive period with a three-point lead over Orlando Pirates, meaning their work is cut out in 2025, if they want to win an eighth straight crown.
Orlando Pirates
Jose Riveiro’s Orlando Pirates have narrowed the gap on Sundowns in the first half of the season which is a joy to watch for most fans who have been crying out for a competitive title race.
Pirates head into Christmas just three points behind Sundowns, and with a match in hand, which bodes well with their title aspirations.
The Buccaneers were already eight points behind at this point last season but have made sure that Sundowns will not run away with it in 2024-25 and the only question remains whether they have the depth and quality to go all the way and wrestle the crown from the champions for the first time since 2012.
Top four candidates
Stellenbosch
Besides the aforementioned duo, Stellenbosch FC might have been the rank outsiders to win the league but they lost so much quality in the offseason which eroded most of the progress they had made last season.
However, Steve Barker’s men are still good enough to finish in the top four and return to the CAF Confederation Cup.
Stellenbosch finished third last season and they still look like they will manage the same position this campaign given how they have gone about their business as they head into the festive season in fourth place but have played three games less than third-placed Polokwane City.
Chippa United
With Stellenbosch likely to finish third, only one other team can join them in the Confederation Cup and Kwanele Kopo’s Chippa United are one of two others likely to do that.
The Chilli Boys have gone about their business well, sitting in sixth place on the table at Christmas on 14 points, one behind Stellies, and six behind Polokwane but with a match in hand over Rise and Shine.
Kopo has assembled a good team and his football is good on the eye, earning him plaudits from observers, and this could be the season when they make that next step.
Kaizer Chiefs
While it looks like it will be another campaign of struggle for Amakhosi, coach Nasreddine Nabi will not allow them to go through another season of mediocrity.
Chiefs are in ninth position on 12 points at Christmas but have played three games less than Polokwane in third place and while their results have not been inspiring, their performances have.
Amakhosi are among the teams that have created the most chances but their finishing and defending have let them down.
If they can tighten it at the back and become clinical, Chiefs will likely finish in the top four and Nabi is also expecting to be backed with some new signings in January which will lift his squad further.
Top 8 finishers?
Polokwane City
Polokwane City head into the festive season in third place and would be among favourites for the top four but there are question marks over the futures of Oswin Appollis and Thabang Matuludi.
The two players have been vital for Rise and Shine so far this season and if Pirates manage to sign both of them as it has been reported, then the good work of coach Phuti Mohafe will be affected.
They will likely need players of the quality of the departing duo to maintain the high standards and that will be difficult to find midseason.
It therefore means Polokwane will miss out on the top four but will surely seal a second straight top eight finish.
SuperSport United
SuperSport United have been improving after a shaky start to the season and they look likely to mount another top eight finish, sitting fifth on the table at Christmas.
Matsatsantsa were largely affected by the lack of a reliable striker but with Serbian forward Samir Nurkovic set to finally make his debut in January, they will experience an upturn in form and there is also extra transfer activity expected in the new year.
Sekhukhune United
Babina Noko finished fourth last season but have not been so consistent this term, which means another such placing on the table looks highly unlikely.
However, with the likes of Cape Town City and TS Galaxy struggling, Sekhukhune United look like the team that will seal the final top eight slot thanks to the experience they have in coach Lehlohonolo Seemaand players such as Sipho Mbule.
Relegation candidates
While the rest will be looking to finish higher up the table, for others, survival is paramount and four teams are in danger of experiencing the drop.
Marumo Gallants
Marumo Gallants have not been at their best this season which suggests another campaign of struggle for Dan “Dance” Malesela’s team who are smarting from an 8-1 thrashing from Orlando Pirates.
Gallants have managed just three wins in 10 games to leave them 12th on the log with 10 points, just two more than Royal AM and Richards Bay.
Their lack of consistency and quality, means they must improve greatly in the new year or they will face relegation.
Royal AM
Royal AM are the other team facing the prospect of relegation given their problems on and off the pitch.
The club are under a transfer ban and unlike the other teams who are looking forward to the January transfer window, they will only rely on what they have, which has so far failed to produce the desired results, sitting in 14th position on eight points, just two better than bottom-placed Magesi FC.
Richards Bay
Like Royal AM, Richards Bay also have eight points and having survived relegation last season by winning the playoffs, things have not changed this term.
Goalkeeper Ian Otieno has put in some impressive performances but that has not been enough as a lack of quality in other areas means they are fighting relegation yet again.
Magesi FC
Carling Knockout surprise winners Magesi have been unable to transfer the brilliant cup run into the league, sitting bottom of the table with just six points from nine games.
That has seen coach Clinton Larsen depart but even a new tactician will need so much in terms of quality to turn around their fortunes.
Magesi look like they might be heading straight back to the Motsepe Foundation Championship following their promotion last season.
