The Soweto derbies between Chiefs and Pirates are always top of the list, given how they have become social events over and above football matches in recent years.
The good news is that, for the first time in three seasons, the Premier Soccer League has not bunched them towards the back end of the campaign and there is one in each half of the fixtures list.
As has become the norm too, there will be a big clash between Chiefs and Sundowns to whet the appetite early in the campaign, giving some love to broadcasters and sponsors in the opening weeks.
Chiefs and Sundowns clash in the first of the marquee games in the second round of the season on August 15. Amakhosi go into the game unbeaten in three against Sundowns and will look to extend that record under new coach Fernando Da Cruz.
The fixture will come the weekend after the MTN8 quarter-finals are played.
The reverse tie will be played on February 6 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
The first Soweto derby will be Pirates’ home match on Halloween, October 31, a good omen perhaps for The Ghost. That will be played at FNB Stadium to boost capacity for fans.
We have had to wait until February for the first league derby of the campaign in recent years, so it is good to have one in the first half of the season again. The last three meetings have produced a win each and a draw, so it has been honours even.
The reverse tie is set for March 13, also at FNB Stadium.
Sundowns and current champions Pirates have been slugging it out for the Betway Premiership title in recent seasons, adding extra spice to their clashes.
They will clash early in the New Year on January 9 at Loftus, before what could be a crucial return game at Orlando Stadium on April 24.
Betway Premiership fixtures involving Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns:
Saturday, August 15: Kaizer Chiefs v Mamelodi Sundowns – FNB Stadium
Saturday, October 31: Orlando Pirates v Kaizer Chiefs – FNB Stadium
Saturday, January 9: Mamelodi Sundowns v Orlando Pirates – Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Saturday, February 6: Mamelodi Sundowns v Kaizer Chiefs – Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Saturday, March 13: Kaizer Chiefs v Orlando Pirates – FNB Stadium
Saturday, April 24: Orlando Pirates v Mamelodi Sundowns – Orlando Stadium