Mamelodi Sundowns will host Orlando Pirates at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, February 8, in a South African Premiership showdown that could significantly impact the title race.
Last season, the Mamelodi Sundowns dominated the league, finishing 23 points ahead of second-placed Orlando Pirates (3.45). However, the 2024-25 campaign has been far more competitive, with the Buccaneers trailing the table-toppers by just six points and holding a game in hand.
The Sundowns (2.16) have struggled against Pirates in the recent meetings. The last three encounters have seen the Pirates eliminate them from both the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup, while their last league meeting ended in a draw.
The Mamelodi Sundowns are nevertheless the favourites to win the league on Easybet with the Orlando Pirates as their closest challengers. With this being their first league clash of the season, both this match and the return fixture could be essential in determining the league champions.
Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Orlando Pirates: Recent Trends
The Sundowns have struggled in head-to-head clashes with the Pirates, failing to win in their last three meetings with the Pirates. Both teams boast exceptional defensive records this season, with the Sundowns conceding five goals and the Pirates six. However, the Sundowns have been ruthless in their attack, scoring 12 goals in their last three matches.
Lucas Ribeiro Costa (seven goals) and Iqraam Rayners (six goals) are the two top scorers in the Premiership.
The Sundowns have won the last seven Premiership titles with Pirates finishing as runners-up in four of those races.
Contrasting Philosophies
The Buccaneers have managed to put together a title-challenging squad with a small group of young players, while also being competitive in the CAF Champions League. The Sundowns have a deep squad, which is understandable given their FIFA Club World Cup commitments.
While the Sundowns have brought some immensely talented players from their youth ranks up, they have also created an environment where competition for places is incredibly stiff. This can have positive results if the players’ expectations are managed well or could be challenging if not. So far, both the Pirates and the Sundowns are playing superb soccer.
