EIGHT Premiership matches will be played around the country on Saturday and Sunday. There were some shocking results in the last round of matches in which only five out of eight predictions turned out to be correct. The trend could continue.

Bulawayo City     LWWLW
Hwange                 DLWLD
Bulawayo City and Hwange will be a close contest. Hwange are always strong in the second half and their 1-1 draw with FC Platinum was not a surprise. Bulawayo City on the other hand have a lot of experienced players in their ranking and they have done well in their debut season.
Prediction: Bulawayo City win

ZPC Kariba     DLLDD
Ngezi               WWDWW
Ngezi Platinum go into the clash with ZPC Kariba unbeaten, trying to complete a back-to-back win over Sunday Chidzambwa’s side. ZPC Kariba have been struggling and it is difficult to see how they will turn the tables. They have gone for more than five matches without a win. Overconfidence could however be Ngezi’s greatest undoing.
Prediction: Draw

Chicken Inn     WLDDL
Chapungu         DWLWW
Champions Chicken Inn have failed to get into the groove in the past weeks and they have become unpredictable. They face a very solid Chapungu who have been forcing results when fans least expect. The Gamecocks are however likely to come out on top as they have done against other teams but the result could go either way.
Prediction: Chicken Inn win

Caps United     DDWLW
FC Platinum     WDLWD
CAPS United against FC Platinum is the biggest game of the weekend. Log leaders FC Platinum are now only two points better than CAPS United after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Hwange. Lloyd Chitembwe’s CAPS United have proved very solid whenever playing at the National Sports Stadium but the reality is that this weekend they face a different animal inspired by former Warriors skipper Norman Mapeza.
Prediction: Draw

Triangle         WDWLL
Highlanders    LDDWL
These are hard times for Premiership giants Highlanders who have somehow been off track. The loss to Mutare City mid-week left them six points behind log leaders FC Platinum who are on 37 points. They face a Triangle side capable of adding to their woes at Gibbo. Triangle have had an inconsistent run so far but on their day, David Mandigora’s charges can beat any side.
Prediction: Highlanders win

How Mine     LDDWD
Harare City   LDWDW
How Mine and Harare City are some of the teams with the best players on paper. However both have failed to find the groove with Kelvin Kaindu resorting to signing new players during the transfer window while Moses Chunga has turned to young players to turn around their fortunes. Harare City’s win over ZPC Kariba was a big relief for Bambo who was under pressure to win but it will be difficult to see them get another win against How Mine.
Prediction: A draw is likely while Harare City have an outside chance of winning the game.

Border Strikers     WLLLL
Dynamos            WWDDD
It is difficult imagine how struggling Border Strikers will score a goal against a Dynamos side that have gone for several matches without conceding a goal. Dynamos on the other hand have also been struggling for goals in the past four matches. The game will not be easy for Lloyd Mutasa’s side but the reality is this is their chance to bounce back.
Prediction: Dynamos win

Mutare City     LDDLW
Tsholotsho      LDLWL
Mutare City pulled a shocker against Highlanders on Thursday and Taku Shariwa’s side have somewhere to build from. However in Tsholotsho they meet a team capable of producing a result even under difficult circumstances. Tsholotsho’s position on the log does not reflect their real strength.
Prediction: Draw

Week 17 predictions
Border Strikers 0-1 Bulawayo City CORRECT
Harare City 2-0 ZPC Kariba CORRECT
Ngezi Platinum 2-1 Chicken Inn CORRECT
Chapungu 1-0 Triangle CORRECT
Tsholotsho 0-1 CAPS United CORRECT
FC Platinum 1-1 Hwange WRONG
Dynamos    0-0 How Mine WRONG   
Highlanders 1-2 Mutare City WRONG