Raphael Durand
Dailysports's expert
The first leg of the CAF Champions League final series kicks off this Saturday at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, where the local side Mamelodi Sundowns will host Pyramids. I’m offering a bet on the outcome of this clash with strong odds for success.
Match preview
The "Brazilians" cruised through the group stage, securing four wins and suffering just one defeat in six matches. That was enough for them to top Group A. In the quarterfinals, the team edged past Esperance thanks to a 1-0 home win, and in the semifinals, they overcame Egyptian giants Al Ahly with draws of 0-0 and 1-1.
Heading into the clash with Pyramids, the "Brazilians" are riding a hot streak of six consecutive wins in the South African Premier Division. In their most recent outing last weekend, Mamelodi Sundowns hosted Magese and claimed a 2-0 home victory. The Sundowns have already secured the league title ahead of schedule and are now determined to add international glory to their domestic triumph.
Meanwhile, Egyptian side Pyramids finished only second in their group, but their closest rivals Sagrada and Djoliba lagged at least eight points behind. Esperance clinched first place thanks to a superior head-to-head record. In the quarterfinals, Pyramids eliminated FAR Rabat (4-1 and 0-2), and in the semifinals, they got past Orlando Pirates (0-0 and 3-2).
Last weekend, Pyramids traveled to face Petrojet and earned a 2-0 victory. That marked their second consecutive win after previously defeating Zamalek 1-0 away. After 24 rounds, Pyramids sit second in the Egyptian Premier League table, trailing Al Ahly by two points.
Probable lineups
- Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams R. (gk, c), Hoza M., Mokoena T., Lebusa M., Mudau K., Allende M., Maema N., Modiba A., Costa L., Arthur Sales, Reiners I.
- Pyramids: Al-Shenawy A. (gk, c), Shibe M., Marei M., Samu A., Hamdi M., Magdy A., El Karti V., Toure I., Atef A., Hamdi M., Adel I.
Match facts and head-to-head
- The teams met in December 2023 in the Champions League, when Mamelodi secured a 1-0 away win after a home draw
- Mamelodi Sundowns have kept a clean sheet in each of their last five matches
- The "Total over 2.5" bet has landed in three of Pyramids' last five games
Prediction
The bookmakers are backing Mamelodi Sundowns, offering odds of around 1.73 for a home win. It’s hard to argue with that, given the South African side’s impressive recent form. I recommend betting on "Mamelodi Sundowns to win" at odds of 1.77.
