Betway Premiership finale: Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates brace for final title showdown

The 16 Premier Soccer League teams in the Betway Premiership are edging closer to the end of a gruelling 10-month season as they prepare for their final two matchday league fixtures.

Mamelodi Sundowns will face TS Galaxy in their final league match of the season at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night (7.30pm kick-off).

A win would keep Sundowns top of the standings on 71 points, six ahead of second-placed Orlando Pirates. However, it would not yet guarantee them a record-extending ninth league title, as Pirates would still have a realistic chance of winning the championship.

Pirates will face Durban City in their penultimate match on Saturday at Orlando Stadium before taking on Orbit College next Saturday at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, with both matches kicking off at 3pm.

Victory in both fixtures would likely hand Pirates the title, as they are expected to finish with a superior goal difference should both teams end level on 71 points.

Kaizer Chiefs,meanwhile, are expected to finish third on the log and will look to consolidate that position by beating AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday before concluding their campaign against Chippa United at the same venue a week later.

AmaZulu and Sekhukhune United have already secured a Top 8 finish, while Polokwane City, Durban City and Golden Arrows could join them if they win their penultimate fixtures against Marumo Gallants, Pirates and Chippa United, respectively.

Meanwhile, the relegation battle remains finely poised. Bottom-placed Magesi FC are just three points behind 14th-placed Orbit College. Should Magesi FC beat Siwelele FC, Gallants overcome Polokwane City, and Orbit College defeat Stellenbosch FC on Saturday, the fight for survival could go down to the final day of the season.

Kruger United have already secured promotion from the Motsepe Foundation Championship and will join the elite division next season. The NFD's promotion/relegation play-off spots, however, remain undecided.

Milford (53 points), Cape Town City, Hungry Lions (both on 51 points), and Casric Stars (49 points) are all vying for the two spots that will qualify them for the mini-league against the Premiership's 15th-placed club, currently Gallants.

The NFD wraps up on Sunday.

REMAINING FIXTURES

Betway Premiership

• Tuesday: TS Galaxy v Mamelodi Sundowns
• Saturday: AmaZulu v Kaizer Chiefs; Chippa United v Golden Arrows, Orlando Pirates v Durban City, Polokwane City v Marumo Gallants, Richards Bay v Sekhukhune, Siwelele v Magesi, Stellenbosch v Orbit College
• Saturday, May 23: Durban City v AmaZulu, Golden Arrows v TS Galaxy, Kaizer Chiefs v Chippa United, Magesi v Richards Bay, Marumo Gallants v Stellenbosch, Orbit College v Orlando Pirates, Sekhukhune United v Siwelele

NFD

• Sunday: Baroka v Upington City, Casric Stars v Gomora, Hungry Lions v Milford FC, Kruger United v The Bees, Leicesterford City v Cape Town City, Lerumo Lions v Black Leopards, Pretoria University v Midlands Wanderers, Venda v Highbury