Maritzburg United vs Swallows Predictions & Tips - Middendorp’s Maritzburg to continue climbing table with home win

Maritzburg United have been getting some very good results of late. Swallows on the other hand have one win in 13 matches.I am tipping a home win due to the greater confidence of Maritzburg right now.

Swallows hold a 12-6 lead against Maritzburg United over their previous 21 meetings with three matches ending in draws.

The side’s last met in December as Swallows won 2-0 at home after a brace by Ruzaigh Gamildien.

After a run of four wins and three draws in their last eight matches, Maritzburg have climbed to 13th in the PSL table and are only two wins from securing safety from relegation.

After drawing 1-1 with Kaizer Chiefs having led 1-0, they won 2-0 at TS Galaxy and thrashed Chippa United 5-1 having trailed 1-0 in that match. A meek 2-0 loss at Orlando Pirates followed before throwing away a lead to draw 1-1 with Baroka.

Maritzburg won 1-0 at Stellenbosch in their last match after a fortunate late penalty by in-form captain Thabiso Kutumela. Stellenbosch dominated the match and should have won by at least two clear goals.

Maritzburg United are without winger Jose Ali Meza due to injury. Coach Ernst Middendorp changed to a 3-5-2 formation for the last match but is expected to revert to 4-2-3-1 this time around.

Dan Morgan is back from injury at left back but Fares Hachi is not expected to be considered for a start due to the effects of Ramadan.

As a newly-promoted team, Swallows have had a good season but 15 draws in 24 matches and one win in 13 PSL matches has been disappointing. The team sits fifth in the PSL table and are just three points off a CAF Confederations Cup place for next season.

After losing their only league match at TS Galaxy, Swallows drew three matches in a row before beating Black Leopards 1-0. Three 1-1 draws have followed that victory with six of their last seven draws having seen the side leading 1-0.

Their last two matches saw a 1-1 draw at Orlando Pirates and a 1-1 draw with SuperSport United. Fawaaz Basadien opened the scoring before they conceded a 78th minute equaliser having introduced an extra defender.

Swallows will again be without their top midfielder Tlakusani Mthethwa. No player in the PSL has won more man of the match awards so he is a big loss.

Winger Fawaaz Basadien started the last match and scored so should keep his place on the wing. The drop in form of top striker Ruzaigh Gamildien is a concern for coach Brandon Truter.