Orlando Pirates vs Cs-Dfc Prediction: Pirates seek redemption
The first leg was very disappointing for Orlando Pirates as they came home with a goalless draw from Madagascar. They will be hoping that the second leg plays out in their favour, when they face Disciples at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon. However, it won't be a straight forward affair, especially after Disciples proved that they are not to be taken lightly at this level of the game.
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Orlando Pirates vs Cs-Dfc Betting Tips
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“I think the opposition was excellent,” Riveiro said after the game. “I think both sides had very clear chances and, strangely, we finished the game goalless. We could not manage to capitalise on our chances to get a goal at least to go into the second leg with. This statement may hurt Orlando Pirates fans, however, if you watched the game, you would under stand the coaches sentiments.
Orlando Pirates predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Chaine, Sibisi, Sesane, Ndah, Hotto, Makhaula, Ndlondlo, Saleng, Maswanganyi, Mofokeng, Mabasa.
The first leg may have ended goalless, however, it is hard to believe that the second leg will end in the same way. Disciples have managed to score a goal in each of there last two games before they met Orlando Pirates in the CAF Champions League. Orlando Pirates themselves have found the back of the net in each of their last seven matches. In that time they have found the back of the net against Mamelodu Sundowns, Supersport United, Plymouth, Sevilla, Granada, and Al-Sadd. They are a team that is known for their attractive attacking style of play. They have pacy wingers who have an eye for goal and world class finishing attributes.
Disciples played the first leg with a five man defence, allowing them to have bodies out wide to deal with the pace and threat of Saleng and Mofokeng. The five man block coupled with a high line allowed them to force pirates into situations that favoured the five man defence. Especially when pirates were running at disciples from wide areas. Disciples maintained a numerical advantage in the box when crosses came flying in. At times Disciples were found defending in a 5-4-1 formation with the midfield playing in a narrow setup. Congesting the midfield and forcing pirates to make use of their full backs and wingers to build up play.
When Pirates were cutting through the middle they would run into three bodies and one additional midfielder covering the pull back to the holding midfielder. Passes between the lines were usually met with numerical advantage from disciples, with 3v1's in the middle of the park. With everything considered, this didn't stop Pirates from creating chances on the counter, but their finishing let them down.
The second half, saw pirates move from playing a controlled possessional game to a long ball strategy as they looked to exploit spaces behind their opponents defence. There was a lot more crossing into the box from deep positions and from wide play. however, the five man defence did the job with the numerical advantage leaning in Disciples favour every time a ball flew into the box.
Discples played like a house on fire in the second half, they took the gamble and took the game to Orlando Pirates. They made more tackles with a move away from zonal making inside areas and narrowed their play in defence. In attack their gained confidence as the game progressed.
The only way Orlando Pirates wins the second leg is if they are more clinical with their finishing. They are also vulnerable to balls in behind the full backs. They will have to make sure that they do not find themselves running towards their own goals because of sneaky balls between the centre backs and the full backs and a pass into the corridor of uncertainty. Orlando Pirates are my pick for the second leg.
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