PSL 2026/27: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Marumo Gallants Prediction & Best Bets

Mamelodi Sundowns will look to return to winning ways when they welcome Marumo Gallants to Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday night in a rearranged PSL fixture.

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Originally scheduled for the opening weekend of the season, the match will now kick off at 19:30 on Wednesday, 19 August, with Sundowns looking to build on an unbeaten start that has produced four points from their opening two league matches. Gallants, meanwhile, are still searching for their first victory of the campaign after taking one point from their first two games.

Masandawana will be overwhelming favourites at home, but their opening matches have demonstrated that they are far from untouchable. Miguel Cardoso’s side needed a dramatic comeback to defeat TS Galaxy before being held by Kaizer Chiefs, giving Gallants at least some encouragement ahead of a difficult trip to Pretoria.

Preview

Sundowns’ mission this season is straightforward: reclaim the Premiership title.

Their long reign as champions ended when Orlando Pirates finished ahead of them last season, and their response has started reasonably well. Sundowns opened their league campaign with a dramatic 3-2 victory away to TS Galaxy, recovering from 2-1 down before substitute Sphelele Mkhulise scored twice, including a 94th-minute winner.

Their second league assignment brought a considerably tighter contest against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium. Chiefs took the lead through new signing Langelihle Phili in the 64th minute, but substitute Cassius Mailula equalised 11 minutes later to secure a 1-1 draw. Sundowns controlled around 65% of possession but struggled to turn that dominance into clear opportunities, with the two sides producing very little between them in expected goals.

That leaves Masandawana on four points from two matches and gives Wednesday’s game additional importance. Dropping points at home against Gallants would represent an opportunity missed, particularly after already surrendering two points against Chiefs.

Gallants arrive in Pretoria under considerably more pressure. They started their PSL campaign with a 0-0 draw against newly promoted Kruger United before suffering a 3-1 defeat away to Stellenbosch last Friday. One point from two games isn’t disastrous this early in the campaign, but travelling to Loftus is hardly the ideal fixture when you’re searching for your first victory.

Sometimes the obvious selection is the best one.

Sundowns have not been flawless at the beginning of the campaign, but there is still a considerable gap between these squads. Cardoso has significantly greater quality and depth available to him, and that should become increasingly apparent if Gallants spend long periods defending.

The hosts’ bench has already been decisive this season. Mkhulise came on to score twice against Galaxy, while Mailula emerged from the bench to rescue a point against Chiefs. That depth makes Sundowns particularly difficult to oppose over 90 minutes because Cardoso can change the game without significantly weakening his team.

Gallants’ slow start only strengthens the argument. One point and one goal from their opening two league matches doesn’t inspire confidence ahead of a trip to a ground where they’ve conceded seven times across their last two league visits.

Recent Form & Stats

Mamelodi Sundowns’ competitive results this season:

Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 Polokwane City – MTN8, AET
TS Galaxy 2-3 Mamelodi Sundowns
Kaizer Chiefs 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns

Gallants have found goals much harder to come by. Their goalless draw against Kruger United was followed by the 3-1 defeat to Stellenbosch, leaving them with just one goal and one point from their opening two league matches.

Marumo Gallants’ league results this season:

Marumo Gallants 0-0 Kruger United
Stellenbosch 3-1 Marumo Gallants

The recent head-to-head record also makes difficult reading for the visitors.

Sundowns beat Gallants 3-1 at Loftus Versfeld in March, with Teboho Mokoena scoring twice in the second half after the sides went into the break level at 1-1.

Masandawana also won the previous league meeting at Loftus 4-1, with Tashreeq Matthews, Iqraam Rayners, Lucas Ribeiro and Sphelele Mkhulise finding the net.

That’s seven goals scored by Sundowns across the last two league meetings at Loftus, with Gallants conceding at least three on both occasions.

Best Bets & Prediction

Prediction: Mamelodi Sundowns to win at 1.23.

Best Bet: Mamelodi Sundowns to win & over 2.5 total goals at 1.80,

Alternative Bet: BTTS – Yes at 2.22.