Richards Bay FC vs Cape Town City FC Prediction: The battle of the bottom teams will end in favour of the hosts

Richards Bay FC vs Cape Town City FC: Prediction and odds on the Match on 18 April 2025

With five games to wrap up the campaign, relegation-threatened Richards Bay will lock horns against the unstable Cape Town City in what seems to be a must-win game at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Friday. The guests who have been inconsistent lately have a stern test ahead of their clash against a home team who are unbeaten in six games on their ground. For the Natal Rich Boys, another home success is imperative in their attempt to survive relegation, just as it is for the visiting team. 

Richards Bay (13th)

Last five games: WLWLL

Papi Zothwane’s men have been below par this season, but not on their ground. Richards Bay head here with back-to-back losses on the road, losing (3-1) against Polokwane City and suffering a (1-0) defeat against AmaZulu. In their most recent game, after being the better side and having more shots than their opponent, they were stunned in the 69th minute. Taariq Fielies scored the only goal that won Amazulu the game, as Richards Bay left with nothing. Before this particular loss, Richards Bay also bowed to a (3-1) loss against Polokwane City, conceding three times in a league game for the first time this year. 

Richards Bay might not be fighting for relegation this season if they maintain their home momentum in the league. The Natal Rich Boys have picked up twenty-four points in a combined seventy-two, scoring fifteen and conceding twenty-three. 

Richards Bay have won five, drawn three and lost four on their ground this season. 

Richards Bay: Lineup

Just like they always do, the hosts will rely heavily on their quick counterattacks while being compact at the back. Whatever Richards Bay plans to do, striker Yanela Mbuthuma must be involved, as his four goals have led to their optimism about remaining in the division. 

Richards Bay Starting Lineup (4-1-4-1)

Otieno—Ndaba, Mabua, Allan, Mabuya —Tiakusani Mththma—Thulani Gumede, Lindokuhle Zikhali, Moses Mthembu, Siboniso Conco—Yanela Mbuthuma

Head Coach: Papi Zothwane

Cape Town City (14th)

Last five games: LLDDL

It’s so sad to see a side playing in the CAF Confederation Cup two seasons ago now struggling to win games. For this campaign alone, the Citizens have changed two coaches, and their level still remains the same. Cape Town City have now gone eleven games without a breakthrough in the Betway Premiership. More recently, they suffered a shocking home loss against ten-man Sekhukhune United. Following their poor start to the game, Cape Town City conceded twice before the break, courtesy of Chibuike Ohizu and Vuyo Letlapa. They were given a lifeline when their guests were reduced to ten men just a minute into the second half. Cape Town City took advantage and found the back of the net in the 67th minute, unfortunately, they couldn’t get a leveller. 

With the way they have been playing lately, the Citizens will be lucky to remain in the Betway Premier League at the end of the campaign. 

The Citizens have been shocking in recent games, marching here without a win in twelve games. Unfortunately, the arrival of coach Mushin Ertugral hasn’t done them justice this season, and the Turkish coach will no longer continue his job. 

The Citizens always play well against top teams but struggle against teams below them. Following their recent woes, Cape Town City dropped to fourteenth place on the log. They have picked up twenty-four points from a combined seventy-two, scoring fourteen and conceding twenty-nine. 

Cape Town City have won once, lost nine, and drawn three on the road this season. 

Cape Town City: Lineup

The Citizens are not the side to sit back against teams below their standard, and this has proven to be a disastrous decision for them. They’ll literally deploy a low block and counterattack against top teams but won’t do the same against smaller teams. They have no permanent coach yet, and it’s hard to tell how they are going to set up against a resilient Richards Bay side tomorrow. 

Cape Town City Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1)

Darren Kent—Thamsamqa Mkhize, Nathan Idumba Fasika, Lorenzo Gordinho, Tshegofatso Nyama—Aprocius Petrus, Fortune Makaringe—Jaedin Rhodes, Gabriel Amato, Darwin Gonzalez—Amadou Soukouna

Head Coach: Diogo Peral (Interim)

Richards Bay vs Cape Town City: Head-to-Head statistics

• Cape Town City have won four, while Richards Bay have recorded two wins across their last six meetings;
• A winner has emerged in their last six meetings across all competitions;
• More than a goal has surfaced in their last four consecutive league meetings;
• Cape Town City are winless in twelve successive matches;
• Richards Bay are undefeated in their last six home games;
• The Citizens have managed one victory across their last fifteen away matches.

Richards Bay vs Cape Town City: Betting Tips & Odds

• In the last four consecutive league matches between Richards Bay and Cape Town City, a total of over 1.5 goals have surfaced. This option is available on Betway bookmaker website for 1.61.
• Richards Bay have won four of their last five games in the league, while Cape Town City have managed only a win in their previous sixteen away games in all competitions. You can bet on a home win, available on 1xbet for 2.53.
• Cape Town City have managed just a goal in eight successive away matches. You can go for a BTTS No for 1.61 on Bet365.

Richards Bay vs Cape Town City match prediction 18 April 2025

Richards Bay have managed a win on the road since the league began, and their only means of survival is to consistently produce positive results on their ground. In their last two games, they played against two of the toughest teams in the Betway Premier League, and both games ended in a win. They’ll face off against a Cape Town City team who lack the confidence and will to win games or convert their chances. The guests who have been below par this season will come with their usual tricks of at least securing a point against Richards Bay, and I’m confident they’ll not be able to achieve that this time around.

Richards Bay are not a special team, but when they play on their home turf, they are a different team entirely. I’ll back them to recover from their back-to-back away losses in the league, and to be on the safe end, I think a home win or draw and over 1.5 goals will surface here for 2.27 at (1xbet).

Another thing to look at is the fact that a winner has emerged in their previous five league games. Cape Town City are presently not at their best, and I’m confident their defence will let them down before the break; bet on the home score at halftime for 2.42 at (Betway).

Richards Bay to win at 2.55 could turn out to be a pretty decent odds this time, and I will try my luck with a home win for at (Bet365).

Good luck!