AmaZulu, Durban and Sekhukhune vying for points as Betway Premiership top three battle intensifies

AmaZulu v Magesi

AmaZulu could move up to third on the Betway Premiership standings a win over struggling Magesi at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Wednesday night.

Arthur Zwane's side enjoyed some good early season form to propel themselves into sixth place on the league standings with 30 points from 19 games, just two adrift of Sekhukhune United in third place.

They have, however, struggled for results in February and come into this clash on the back of three successive defeats, to Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and most recently 1-0 to Stellenbosch.

In Magesi though, they play a team with just two wins all season, to sit rock-bottom of the standings with 12 points.

Three points for newly appointed Allan Freese would take his team level with Marumo Gallants in the relegation/promotion play-off spot.

Freese took over from John Maduka and picked up a point in a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Stellies, but they more recently suffered a 2-0 reverse to seventh-placed Polokwane.

Ahead of the game, Freese explained that his team needed to believe that survival is a real possibility.

He said in the Sowetan: "To have belief alone sometimes is not good enough, but to have belief as a team is what's needed. Does each and every player believe, like me, that we can get out of the relegation zone? Do we believe in that, all of us? I believe we can do it, but it will take time."

Chippa United v Marumo Gallants

Chippa United will look to continue their recent run of of good form with all three points against rudderles Marumo Gallants at Buffalo City Stadium on Wednesday.

The Chilli Boys are unbeaten in their last six encounters, winning three and drawing three. After three successive wins, over Orbit College, Durban City and Richards Bay, Vusumuzi Vilakazi's team last held Golden Arrows to a goalless draw away from home.

But despite their run of results, a poor start to their season means that Chippa are in 13th place with 19 points from 19 games, as Gallants sit in 15th with 15 points.

They are just three points clear of Magesi in 16th and are preparing for this game following the suspension of head coach Alexandre Lafitte after a run of seven successive defeats.

They also have not won any of their last 12 matches and last lost 1-0 at home to Durban City on Sunday.

Durban City v Sekhukhune United

Durban City have Sekhukhune United in their sights as they look to leapfrog Wednesday's opponent with all three points at the Chatsworth Stadium on Wednesday.

In fourth place with 31 points from 19 games, a win for Sinethemba Badela's team could see them move above Babina Noko - who are on 32 points - into third place on the league standings.

Badela took over at the club from Gavin Hunt and has overseen three wins from four games, including last week's 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants, as Sekhukhune lost 3-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns in their last encounter.

Eric Tinkler's team have been pushing the top two teams Orlando Pirates and Sundowns at the top of the standings this season but have dropped slightly off the pace as they find themselves nine points behind the pair.

Ahead of the game, Tinkler said on IOL: "The target and the objective is top three. Nothing has changed. Top three was my mandate and nothing has changed. Had we beaten Sundowns, would we be competing for the league? Yes.

“But my mandate hasn't changed — it's top three. That doesn't mean we can't win the next two games and close the gap, but every single game we prepare to win.”