PSL Joint Preview: Ajax out to escape relegation, Celtic eyeing Chippa scalp

As the PSL action resumes this Tuesday night, Goal previews the games between Bloemfontein Celtic and Chippa United as well as Ajax Cape Town and Baroka.

Siwelele are not yet safe when it comes to their top eight ambitions and will be gunning for a win at home in front of their home crowd.

Coach Veselin Jelusic’s men remain eighth on the log table with 34 points from 27 league games and they will be desperately chasing a win to ease their edge closer to securing a top eight finish.

The Free State side could not claim a win against Nedbank Cup finalists Free State Stars in their previous match at Goble Park Stadium and managed a single point against AmaZulu.

Although the previous result in the first round ended in a draw, this encounter could produce goals at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Tuesday night. Kickoff is at 19:30.

A look at previous meetings between the two sides, they have met in nine league matches since 2012/13, the hosts won four of those matches to three for the Chilli Boys - while the other two matches ended draws.

Phunya Sele Sele are enjoying an added advantage as they have secured three of their four home matches in the rivalry, but have lost one so far.

Shifting focus to the Mother City, relegation-threatened Ajax are out to save their PSL status as they host Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele on Tuesday night.

With their games becoming fewer, coach Muhsin Ertugral will have to guide his men to a win and move away from the bottom of the table.

Ajax sit 15th on the log and have tough matches ahead of them, but a win over the Limpopo side will go along away in restoring belief in their camp.

The Parow-based side drew 1-1 against Chippa away and bagged a draw against Usuthu away in Durban, but were victors at home against the outgoing PSL champions, Bidvest Wits.

As they intensify their efforts to escape the relegation dogfight, they will hope to bag another win at the Athlone Stadium on the night.

For Bakgaga, the match also hands them an opportunity to collect maximum points heading to their remaining two matches in the current campaign.

MacDonald Makhubedu’s men are fresh from two consecutive losses at the hands of log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and Maritzburg United.

The two sides have met in three league matches since last season. Two of those ended in draws, while Bakgaga have one win when they triumphed 1-0 in Cape Town last term.

Sitting at position nine with 33 points from 27 league games pushes Baroka to challenge for a top eight spot for the first time in the PSL history, but they must brace themselves for a fight in the Mother City.

Bakgaga were involved in the PSL/National First Division play-offs last season and will want to avoid that experience this term.