By Onny Gangata
THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) reaches its penultimate week this weekend with a lot of uncertainties for the bottom six teams on the log standings.
With army side Cranborne Bullets having already been relegated, three other teams will know their fate this coming Saturday.
The trio of Sheasham, Triangle and Black Rhinos all on 35 points and only separated by goal difference occupy the three slots in the drop zone.
Yadah Stars on position 14 and ZPC Kariba on 13th position with 37 and 38 points respectively are neither safe, they too, could be relegated, if they fail to win their matches.
Yadah are at home to Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium, while ZPC Kariba are away to relegated Cranborne Bullets at Mandava stadium in Zvishavane.
Kauya Katuruturu need just a point to secure their place in the PSL for next season while an outright win for Yadah guarantees them of premiership football.
Interestingly any of the five teams could either be relegated or avoid going into the lower divisions depending on the outcome of results in other matches.
A loss for ZPC Kariba will definitely condemn them to division one should any of the teams in the drop zone win because the Kariba outfit have a poor goal difference of -23, the worst amongst the lot.
According to the PSL rules and regulations order 22 which deals with technical issues, order 22.3 states that goal difference is the first option for tie breaking.
“Where two or more teams have equal points,(i.e goal difference , the number of goals scored FOR minus goals scored AGAINST)shall be used to determine relative position,”reads the regulations.
This will most likely hurt Yadah as well should they draw against Dembare and any of Sheasham, Triangle and Black Rhinos win. It will leave the teams tied on 38 points but the miracle boys’ goal difference will be inferior to any of the three teams below them if any of them wins.
The relegation fight this season is so tight unlike in other previous seasons. A look at the goal difference between the sides shows that Yadah have -12, while Black Rhinos and Triangle have -11 with Sheasham a rung below on -12.
There is a high probability that a tie breaker may be needed to separate the bottom sides.
As is currently the case, the PSL will apply order 22.4 of the rules and regulations where the team that scored more goals will be ranked higher as is currently the case between Black Rhinos and Triangle who have the same goal difference but the army side have scored more.
“Where two or more teams are tied on points and have the same goal difference, the number of goals scored FOR shall be used to determine the relative position,” reads 22.4 of the regulations.
Black Rhinos appear to have an edge over their other competitors and any slip up by Yadah or ZPC Kariba will see the army side benefit if they win their own match against Simba Bhora at Baobab stadium.
Triangle make the short trip to Chisumbanje to face Green Fuel who have already secured their premiership status. Sheasham will host FC Platinum in what will be their fourth match at Bata stadium in their last five matches.
Sadly, for the Gweru side they have failed to make good use of home advantage managing just four points in their last three matches at Bata stadium.
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PSL REGULATIONS
22.5 “Where teams have equal number of goals scored FOR, the aggregate of the direct results between the two teams shall be used to determine the relative position.”
22.5 “Where the aggregate of the direct results between the tied teams is a draw, there shall be a play off at a neutral venue as determined by the League.”
