Soweto Derby | Baxter hopeful of title chance: 'We are not completely out of the picture!'

Runaway league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns are in cruise mode at the moment, and depending on other results, they could snatch their second domestic title within the next four matchdays.

The Brazilians currently have a massive 18-point lead over second place Royal AM, with the Durbanites having two matches in hand, while Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, who are in third and fourth place, respectively, are 19 points behind the Tshawne giants.

Chiefs do have their ongoing fixture saga with the Premier Soccer League Disciplinary Committee (PSL DC), with their fate yet to be disclosed.

Meanwhile, Amakhosi currently have four matches in hand and are confident of winning their case the PSL DC.

Pirates just have one game in hand on Sundowns, despite their CAF Confederation Cup commitments.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday ahead of the Soweto Derby, Chiefs head coach Stuart Baxter knows that mathematically it seems impossible to catch Sundowns but he is not willing to throw in the towel just yet.

"This was always going to be a difficult season in many ways. It has been a difficult season trying to restructure the squad and bring about some changes  - then it's been Covid-19 and the pandemic and a mini pandemic within our club," Baxter commented.

"I think we've had more than our share of hardships due to that – we've got the ongoing saga of games to be played or not played - so we're in a position where, as I checked the log last night, we have three games, which is nine points potentially, and we to play Sundowns again, that can be a 12 point swing.

"I think with that points, we are not completely out of the picture, but if you are a betting man, I don't think the same person would be betting a lot of money on anybody catching