Orlando Pirates vs Polokwane City Predictions - Pirates backed to advance in MTN 8

John Eastwood

Editor

Last updated: 01 Aug 2025

Share

John Eastwood 01 Aug 2025

Share this article

Orlando Pirates are the defending MTN 8 Cup champions.
Pirates had a successful league campaign, finishing second to Sundowns.
Polokwane City did not win their last six matches last season.

Expired

Pirates to reach MTN8 semi-final (Getty Images)

Orlando Pirates vs Polokwane City Predictions

Orlando Pirates will be high on confidence coming into this season. They had a stellar season in 2024/25 which included a trophy in this competition. My best bet is a Pirates win to nil.

Orlando Pirates vs Polokwane City Predictions
Head to Head
Orlando Pirates Form
Orlando Pirates Injuries & Team News
Polokwane City Form
Polokwane City Injuries & Team News

Orlando Pirates are the defending MTN 8 Cup champions.
Orlando Pirates have won their last 2 matches against Polokwane City.
Orlando Pirates are unbeaten in 8 of their last 9 matches.
Polokwane City failed to win any of their last 6 matches last season.
Polokwane City last their last match to Pirates to nil.

Head to Head

These two met late last season with Pirates winning 1-0 away from home.

Orlando Pirates Form

Orlando Pirates come into this season’s MTN 8 Cup as the defending champions after beating Stellenbosch FC in the final last season. The Buccaneers also had a strong league campaign, finishing second behind Sundowns.

Pirates pre-season has gone relatively well. While not much can be read into results, they have played four matches. They lost 2-0 to Bolton, drew 1-1 against Pafos and drew 0-0 against Las Palmas.

In their last fixture which took place about two weeks ago, Pirates beat Granada 2-0.

Orlando Pirates Injuries & Team News

Nkosinathi Sibisi has taken over the Orlando Pirates captaincy duties for this season. He was voted in by the players. Thapelo Xoki and Mbekezili Mbokazi will share vice-captaincy duties.

Polokwane City Form

Polokwane City had a good season in 2024/25, finishing the PSL in seventh place. During the course of the season, City played 28 league games, won eight, drew 10 and lost 10, finishing with 34 points.

Towards the end of last season, Polokwane struggled to get results, which saw them drop a couple of places. Of those last six games, they failed to win any.

That run included a 1-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates on home soil. They also lost to Sekhukhune United and Cape Town City and drew against AmaZulu and SuperSport United.

Polokwane City Injuries & Team News

Polokwane City have yet to make their final squad available, but they have a very similar side to last season. A couple of new signings may make an appearance in this fixture.