Match Preview, Prediction & AnalysisTuesday, 6 May 2025 | Kick-off: 19:30 | Mpumalanga Stadium
Lamontville Golden Arrows and Orlando Pirates will lock horns in a critical DStv Premiership encounter on Tuesday evening, with both sides chasing very different outcomes. For Arrows, it’s about avoiding the relegation playoff zone. For Pirates, the focus is firmly on keeping their title hopes alive.
Golden Arrows in Crisis Mode
Golden Arrows head into this fixture in free fall. A heavy 3-0 defeat at home to Stellenbosch in their last outing left them just three points above the dreaded relegation playoff spot. With six matches remaining, every point now carries significant weight, and the margin for error is razor-thin.
Their current run of form is alarming. Arrows have gone four matches without a win in the league—two defeats and two draws—and have only one victory from their last six outings. Their lone bright moment in that spell was a 2-1 home win over Kaizer Chiefs, but that result now feels like a distant memory.
A major concern for coach Steve Komphela will be the team’s lack of goals. Arrows have failed to score in 13 of their 23 league games this season, underlining their struggles in the final third. Without a consistent goal threat, they’ve become far too reliant on defensive resilience, which has proven insufficient against stronger sides.
Their home form adds another layer of concern. Mpumalanga Stadium, traditionally a tough venue for visiting teams, has lost its aura this season. Arrows have managed just one win in their last eight home games, a stat that does not inspire confidence ahead of the visit from one of the league’s most in-form teams.
Pirates Riding a Wave of Momentum
Orlando Pirates arrive in Durban with wind in their sails. Their 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby was not just a morale booster—it was a statement of intent. That victory extended their unbeaten run in the iconic fixture to five straight matches, further cementing their status as one of the country’s top sides this season.
The Buccaneers have now won four of their last six league games and are still mathematically in contention for the title. They currently sit second on the table with 49 points from 22 matches. While catching Mamelodi Sundowns may still be a long shot, Pirates can ill afford to drop points if they hope to keep the pressure on.
Coach José Riveiro’s side has also been impressive on the road. Pirates are unbeaten in their last four away league games, winning two in a row. Their attacking threats have come from multiple sources, with the likes of Relebohile Mofokeng, Tshegofatso Mabasa, and Evidence Makgopa all contributing in front of goal.
Another reason for optimism in the Pirates camp is their recent dominance over Golden Arrows. They ran out emphatic 7-1 winners in the reverse fixture in April 2024—a result that still resonates as one of the heaviest defeats in the Arrows’ recent history. In fact, Arrows have not beaten Pirates in a league match since February 2021, and the Soweto giants have now won four consecutive league games against them.
Head-to-Head and Key Stats
Historically, this fixture has favoured the Buccaneers. Orlando Pirates have won 20 of their last 38 league meetings against Golden Arrows, while Arrows have only managed a handful of victories in that same period. The last three meetings have all gone the way of Pirates, with a combined scoreline of 11-2.
The pressure is mounting on Golden Arrows, who must find both inspiration and execution if they hope to avoid another defeat. But with Pirates hitting their stride at the business end of the season, the visitors enter this match as firm favourites.
Prediction
Everything points to an Orlando Pirates win. They are in better form, have superior firepower, and have a recent history of dominance over Golden Arrows. Given how fragile Arrows look in defence and how ineffective they’ve been in attack, it’s hard to envision them turning things around against a motivated Pirates side.
Final Verdict: Orlando Pirates to win the match