Kaizer Chiefs v Royal AM preview: Amakhosi look to keep winning streak alive

Kaizer Chiefs’ home defeat to Royal AM in September was the wake-up call which spurred Amakhosi to kick-start their season and put together an impressive surge to second spot on the DStv Premiership standings.

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Since that disappointing loss to the Premier Soccer League newcomers at FNB Stadium, Kaizer Chiefs have lost just one of their last 10 league games and will be looking to continue their recent run of good results when they travel to KwaZulu-Natal to face Royal AM on Sunday, 19 December.

Kick-off is at 15:30.

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Amakhosi go into the match high on confidence with three points the target – and turning around the home result in this corresponding fixture on the coast.

Kaizer Chiefs’ improvement of late has been vast and Amakhosi now lead the chasing pack as they attempt to reel in league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

In the 10 league games since they last played Royal AM, Kaizer Chiefs have managed to win six matches and lose just once, with three draws.

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The Glamour Boys have picked up 21 points from these games, a marked improvement from Amakhosi’s early season challenges, with only Mamelodi Sundowns having managed to extract more points in their last 10 outings than Kaizer Chiefs (24).

For Kaizer Chiefs, consistency is key as they target a third successive league win, having won their last two games by a two goal margin, a 3-1 away triumph over Swallows followed by a 2-0 home win over Sekhukhune United in their match.

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Kaizer Chiefs will have taken a lot of positives from the Sekhukhune United clash, given their preparations were severely hampered due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the camp.

A number of players were thrust into the team and stood up to the challenge and gave a good account of themselves. The performance also underlined Kaizer Chiefs’ strength in depth, with a number of regular players missing.

Kaizer Chiefs will now go in search of a fourth away league victory this campaign.

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The Glamour Boys currently have won 12 points from seven games on the road.

Kaizer Chiefs’ three away victories this campaign have come in their last three trips on the road against SuperSport United, Maritzburg United and Swallows.

Their hosts on Sunday have picked up just one win in their last six league matches, but have shown this season how dangerous they can be to play against and how they are able to punish any lapses by the opposition defence.

Royal AM are strong at home and have won 17 of their 23 points this campaign from their home games.

Kaizer Chiefs are in 2nd spot, Royal AM are 4th

Kaizer Chiefs, though, have shown that in recent times they do enjoy playing against teams in the top five. Last week, Sekhukhune United were second heading into their clash before being leapfrogged by Amakhosi.

This time around Royal AM are in fourth place, two points behind second-placed Kaizer Chiefs.

A win will help Amakhosi continue to keep a grip on second place and remain – barely – in sight of log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, as Kaizer Chiefs look to make up ground on them with three more points on Sunday.