Black Leopards vs Stellenbosch FC: PSL live scores, kick-off time, prediction and preview
With coach Cavin Johnson suspended, Black Leopards face another tricky test at Thohoyandou Stadium as they host a Stellenbosch side chasing a fourth straight win.
Leopards drew 1-1 against league leaders Kaizer Chiefs in their last home game, but they lost 1-0 away to Cape Town City on Friday. Only goal difference separates Lidoda Duvha from the bottom of the table.
Unsurprisingly, Johnson is reportedly on the verge of being sacked by Black Leopards, with KickOff claiming that the club’s management is unhappy with his team selection.
Johnson was quoted by HeraldLIVE as confessing that he was uncertain of his future, but also pleading his case for more patience from supporters.
“You are never secure,” he reportedly said.
“I read this morning (reports he had been fired), there must have been 10 to 15 people who called me. Maybe it’s because I didn’t fly with the players, we will have to see.
“The difficult part initially was coming here, if you add the hours that I have actually coached this team now it is not more than 15 hours (on the training pitch).
“I have been here just on a month and if that is the bases for South Africans pressing for coaches to be fired and all that, then maybe we are a little bit premature.”
Stellenbosch were in a relegation battle themselves until recently, but after three straight wins, they have moved up to eighth place. This is what is possible for Black Leopards should they turn their fortunes around, but they have no time to waste.
Kick-off time and prediction
Kick-off time: 2 February, 15:30
Prediction: Black Leopards are a better team at home than on the road, so they should have enough quality to hold Stellenbosch to a draw.
Bookies give Stellenbosch a 42% chance of victory and Leopards 35%. Lidoda Duvha do well as underdogs with a 51% win rate at these odds, while Stellies claim victory 45% of the time.
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