The 2023/24 DStv Premiership is already shaping up to be a hugely exciting and unpredictable iteration of a competition that champions goals, silky skills and stunning moments on the pitch.
This year, the Mamelodi Sundowns are the short-priced favourites to win the competition at 1.20, and they are clear at the head of the betting with Stake, while Orlando Pirates (10.00), SuperSport United (13.00), Kaizer Chiefs (19.00) and Cape Town City (19.00) are next in line.
Last season, the Mamelodi Sundowns ran out comfortable winners at the summit as they only lost just two of their 30 matches, winning 21 times and drawing seven outings.
Orlando Pirates were next in line, 16 points short of Sundowns in what turned into a dominant season for the champions, while SuperSport United finished in third in a CAF Confederation Cup group stage spot.
At the other end of the table, it was Marumo Gallants that were relegated after finishing at the foot of the log.
This term, the campaign is only a handful of matches old, but most sets of fans will already feel like they have a good idea of how their season will go. Sundowns sit at the summit and are the only side with a 100% record after six games — it all looks a bit familiar already.
Golden Arrows and SuperSport are the sides closest to the league leaders in the early stages, but it already looks like a real mountain to climb, if any side is to leapfrog Masandawana at the summit.
Such is the impressive form of the Sundowns that they already look very tough to stop.
Sundowns can fall back on dominating the competition for years, with no side getting near to the 13 trophies they boast. Since the 2017/18 season, no side has been able to oust them from the summit, with Sundowns winning six consecutive titles.
While the Orlando Pirates and the Kaizer Chiefs have won four titles each, the last either won was back in the 2014/15 season when the latter came out on top, while Bidvest Wits were the last team outside of the Sundowns to celebrate league success back in 2016/17.
Sundowns are short in the betting and for good reason. They have dominated the competition for years, while they won by a hefty margin last year and have started incredibly well this term.
If any side is going to stop them then they will need to be near-perfect and have to hope the reigning champions drop their fair share of points this year. Both of these things look unlikely right now.
