The Carling Knockout Cup opening round continues on Tuesday, with Kaizer Chiefs hosting TS Galaxy, Mamelodi Sundowns taking on Marumo Gallants and Orlando Pirates welcoming Milford. Wednesday brings the final tie as Durban City face Stellenbosch. We take a closer look at all four encounters from a betting angle below.
All 16 Premiership clubs begin their campaigns in the round of 16, with a place in the quarterfinals decided over a single match. Any fixture level after 90 minutes will move into extra time, followed by penalties if required. With no second leg to fall back on, there is little room for an off night.
TUESDAY:
Kaizer Chiefs vs TS Galaxy – click here to bet
Kaizer Chiefs approach this cup tie following a 1-1 draw at home to Red Arrows which they won after penalties, having lost the away encounter 1-0 in the CAF Confederations Cup.
Their league form has been consistent, with Chiefs unbeaten through seven fixtures. However, five of those matches have ended level, including their last three against Polokwane City, Golden Arrows and Stellenbosch.
TS Galaxy have endured a difficult spell, losing three consecutive league games without scoring. Successive 1-0 home defeats against Kruger United and Chippa United were followed by a 3-0 loss away to Orlando Pirates in their latest appearance.
Galaxy have managed only one victory from eight league outings, beating Marumo Gallants 3-2 in August. They have since collected a single point from four matches, with their attacking struggles becoming an increasing concern.
Head-to-Head:
The last six meetings have produced 1 victory each and 4 draws. Chiefs won the latest encounter 2-0 at home in April, following a goalless draw away to Galaxy in December.
Five of those six fixtures finished with fewer than three goals and Galaxy’s only victory during that sequence was a 1-0 home success in August 2023.
Odds: Kaizer Chiefs 1.73 | Draw 3.50 | TS Galaxy 5.25
Verdict:
Chiefs have been difficult to beat domestically but their tendency to draw makes the home price less appealing than it first appears. They should nevertheless see this as an opportunity to regain some momentum against opponents struggling upfront.
Galaxy have failed to score in four successive matches, while Chiefs’ last five appearances have all produced fewer than three goals. I favour a controlled contest with limited scoring and Chiefs winning with a clean sheet.
BET: Match Result and Both Teams to Score, Chiefs and NO at 2.60
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Marumo Gallants – click here to bet
Mamelodi Sundowns return to domestic cup action after consecutive draws against Wiliete in the CAF Champions League. A goalless away encounter was followed by a 1-1 result at home, extending their unbeaten run to eleven competitive matches.
Before those draws, Sundowns beat Orlando Pirates 2-0 in the MTN 8 final and swept aside Richards Bay 4-1 in the league.
Marumo Gallants are still waiting for their first league victory after eight matches. Their latest setback was a 2-1 defeat away to Sekhukhune United, following losses against AmaZulu and Orlando Pirates.
Gallants have collected just two points so far, drawing against Kruger United and Polokwane City. They have conceded in each of their last seven appearances and now face an attack that has already scored freely against several domestic opponents.
Head-to-Head:
Sundowns have won 4 of the last 6 meetings, with Gallants claiming 1 victory and the remaining match ending level. The two most recent encounters brought 3-1 and 2-0 home wins for Sundowns.
Gallants do have a relevant cup result to draw encouragement from, having beaten Sundowns 1-0 away in the Carling Knockout in October 2025.
Odds: Mamelodi Sundowns 1.33 | Draw 5.00 | Marumo Gallants 9.50
Verdict:
Gallants’ victory in this competition last season offers a reminder that Sundowns cannot take progression for granted. However, the visitors’ current results provide little evidence that another upset is approaching.
Sundowns have kept clean sheets in two of their last four matches, while Gallants have scored only once across three consecutive defeats. The home win looks the likely outcome and I am backing Sundowns to win without conceding.
BET: Result and Both Teams to Score – Mamelodi Sundowns and No at 2.10
Orlando Pirates vs Milford – click here to bet
Orlando Pirates have responded well to their 2-0 MTN 8 final defeat against Sundowns, recording three successive victories without conceding. They beat TS Galaxy 3-0 before overcoming African Stars 1-0 away and 4-0 at home in the CAF Champions League.
Their PSL campaign has also been convincing, with seven wins and a draw from eight matches. Pirates have kept clean sheets in each of their last six league outings, combining defensive discipline with a reliable supply of goals.
Milford arrive with confidence after a 1-0 away victory over Golden Arrows extended their unbeaten run to four matches. That sequence also included a goalless draw against Chippa United, a 5-1 win over Richards Bay and a 1-1 draw with Durban City.
They have lost only twice in nine league fixtures, with both defeats coming away to Pirates and Sundowns.
Head-to-Head:
The only meeting between the sides ended in a 2-0 home victory for Pirates on the opening weekend of the league season in August.
Odds: Orlando Pirates 1.44 | Draw 4.00 | Milford 7.75
Verdict:
Milford’s recent improvement deserves attention, particularly their ability to keep matches close away from home. However, their two league defeats came against the strongest opposition they have faced and Pirates look well placed to expose that gap again.
The hosts have scored eight unanswered goals across their last three appearances and their defensive record has been particularly impressive. I expect Pirates to advance inside regulation time, with another clean sheet forming part of my bet.
BET: Result and Both Teams to Score – Orlando Pirates and No at 2.20
WEDNESDAY:
Durban City vs Stellenbosch – click here to bet
Durban City head into this fixture after winning both encounters against Port Louis in the CAF Confederations Cup. A 3-1 home success was followed by a 3-0 away victory on Sunday, giving them a positive response to their earlier 2-1 league defeat against AmaZulu.
Their domestic results have been less encouraging, with no victory in their last four league matches. Draws against Stellenbosch and Milford came either side of a 2-0 defeat to Pirates, before AmaZulu left with all three points.
Stellenbosch have put together a four match unbeaten run in the Premiership, although three of those fixtures ended level. Their latest outing brought a 1-1 draw away to Chiefs, following a 1-0 victory against Kruger United.
Earlier draws against Durban City and Sekhukhune United also form part of that sequence. Stellenbosch have generally kept things tight recently, with each of their last five matches producing two goals or fewer.
Head-to-Head:
The last six meetings are evenly balanced, with 1 win each and 4 draws. Their last three encounters have all finished 0-0, including the league fixture at Durban City in September.
Five of those six matches produced fewer than three goals. The exceptions to the recent run of draws were a 1-0 Durban City victory and a 3-0 Stellenbosch success during the 2022/23 season.
Odds: Durban City 2.60 | Draw 3.15 | Stellenbosch 2.80
Verdict:
Durban City’s two wins against Port Louis should lift confidence, although Wednesday’s turnaround comes quickly after their away match on Sunday. Stellenbosch have had a longer break and their recent unbeaten run suggests they will be difficult to overcome.
There is little separating these teams in the winning market, while their recent meetings point towards another cautious affair. With three consecutive goalless draws between them and Stellenbosch involved in several tight matches, I am backing the 90 minute draw.
Bet: The Draw at 3.15
Note: All prices are correct at the time of writing but subject to change.
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