The PSL 2019/20 campaign heads into its finale on Saturday, with five clubs not guaranteed a spot in the top flight next season.
For one of the 16 teams that competed in the top tier of South African football in the soon-to-be-concluded campaign, the journey ends over the weekend.
PSL relegation battle
One more outfit has the chance to fight for its right to be among the big guns for at least one more season via the promotion/relegation playoffs.
Chippa United
The Eastern Cape’s sole representative in the upper half of the PSL could have secured a spot in the 2020/21 season of the top flight, if not for a disallowed goal in the latter stages of Wednesday match against Kaizer Chiefs.
While no longer in threat of suffering automatic relegation, they could well still have to participate in the promotion playoffs, should they not secure a point in their final fixture, against Golden Arrows.
However, for that to happen, all of AmaZulu, Baroka and Black Leopards will have to prevail in what promises to be tough fixtures against Highlands Park, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.
AmaZulu
Usuthu spent the bulk of the current season occupying bottom-place, but look set to stage an escape with some good performances in the bubble.
A crucial five points in their last three matches have seen AmaZulu reach 29 points for the season, where they face no danger of dropping down automatically to the first division.
Black Leopards
One of the form teams in the bubbles has been Black Leopards, who now face the unenviable task of defeating the title-chasing defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns to secure their spot for next season.
Black Leopards stunned 2016/17 champions Bidvest Wits in their last outing, making it three wins in twice as many matches to make it to 29 points, where they sit just below AmaZulu in the PSL standings.
Baroka
The one team standing an outside chance of being leapfrogged by the bottom team in the PSL log is Baroka, who need will need to suffer quite the heavy defeat to earn relegation.
However, Bakgakga still need to win against Kaizer Chiefs to avoid the prospect of having to fight for their Premiership spot against the first division’s elite.
Polokwane City
Polokwane City are in danger of falling out of the elite tier of the PSL, despite what could happen in the other fixtures on Saturday.
Even if they win against Bidvest Wits to catch up to Baroka on points, the goal difference column is not even close to their favour.
