PSL title race: Sundowns and Pirates’ crunch fixtures

Could we see another PSL title race being decided by 1 point?

Orlando Pirates ended Mamelodi Sundowns’ 8-year reign last season by the finest of margins.

At this early stage, the Buccaneers and Masandawana are once again separated by a single point.

Here’s which games could shape the season for either team.

How does the Premiership table look so far?

After 9 games, Sundowns are top of the log with 23 points, having won 7 and drawn 2.

As confirmed by the PSL website, the African champions are unbeaten so far.

Pirates, after 8 games, have 22 points: they are also unbeaten, winning 7 and drawing 1.

AmaZulu have maintained their grip on 3^rd, sitting 3 points behind the Buccaneers as of 16 October.

Kaizer Chiefs, who drew against Stellenbosch this week, are unbeaten but drifting away in 4^th.

The PSL is on a 1-week break as the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup continue.

What fixtures could decide the PSL title race?

The Soweto Derby

Pirates face Chiefs at the FNB Stadium on 31 October, with the return derby clash on 13 March next year.

Last season, results between the PSL’s biggest rivals were mixed.

Pirates won the first derby clash on 28 February 0-3, before a 1-1 draw on 25 April.

The Buccaneers lead in recent head-to-heads, but history still favours the Amakhosi.

Orlando Pirates will be looking for another statement result to keep the pressure on Sundowns.

Sundowns vs Pirates

The defending champions meet their closest contenders twice in the new year.

Sundowns will host Pirates first at Loftus Versfeld on 9 January, 2027.

The Buccaneers then welcome Masandawana to the Orlando Stadium on 24 April.

These matches have an added edge after Sundowns beat Pirates in Durban to claim this season’s MTN8 trophy.

Whoever wins these ties is likely to be within touching distance of the PSL title.

Pirates and Sundowns face packed schedule

The deciding factor may not even be in the PSL itself.

Pirates and Sundowns are both alive in the CAF Champions League, which could occupy most of their attention.

The CAF website lists CL group-stage matchdays as 27-29 November, 4-6 and 18-20 December, and 8-10, 15-17, and 22-24 January 2027.

If the PSL giants survive, the schedule does not get any easier.

The quarterfinals are listed as 26-28 February and 5-7 March next year, followed by the semifinals in April and the finals in May.

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has already warned about the possible effect of fixture congestion on the PSL.

As cited by Cape Times, he admitted the pressure was increasing:

“I think we are going to enter the December period looking completely different to how we look now… We need to rest most of the players because they are fatigued.”