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Title-chasing Sundowns battle SuperSport in derby

football17 April 2019 06:10| © Backpage TXT
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Rivaldo Coetzee © Gallo Images

Mamelodi Sundowns return to Absa Premiership action with a clash against Tshwane rivals SuperSport United at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday evening.

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Kick-off is at 7:30pm CAT.

Sundowns played to their 11th draw of the season when they were held 0-0 away to fellow title hopefuls Orlando Pirates at the start of the month. The Tshwane side has won just two of their last seven league matches.

The Brazilians have claimed 19 points from 12 home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a goalless draw against Bloemfontein Celtic in early March.

SuperSport have put together a four-match unbeaten run in the league, though their last two outings have both been draws: 1-1 and 0-0 at home to Kaizer Chiefs and Polokwane City in mid March and April respectively.

Matsatsantsa have claimed 16 points from 12 away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 1-0 win at Free State Stars last month.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Lucas Moripe Stadium in December 2018, Sundowns claimed a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Lebohang Maboe and Lyle Lakay. The Brazilians are unbeaten in their last 11 league games against United.

Sundowns head into the fixture six points adrift of Pirates who lead the log standings, but having played three games less than their rivals, the defending champions now have chance to reel in the Sea Robbers. Matsatsanta sit four points behind second placed Sundowns ahead of the midweek derby clash.

SuperSport will welcome back Mxolisi Macuphu from suspension, while Sundowns will again be without Gaston Sirino who will serve the second of his two-match domestic suspension in midweek.

Most Recent Starting XI:

Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango, Ngcongca, Arendse, Nascimento, Langerman, Morena, Kekana, Mabunda, Zwane, Maboe, Tade (Lakay 68’).

SuperSport United: Williams, Nhlapo, Khumalo, Kekana, Bhasera, Lebese (Mnyamane 66’), Mokoena, Furman, Modiba (Webber 78’), Rusike, Grobler.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2013/14 Sundowns 3-0 SuperSport Moriri, Modise, Malajila
2014/15 Sundowns 3-1 SuperSport Billiat, T. Zwane, Modise; Wome
2014/15 SuperSport 1-2 Sundowns Brockie; Mashaba 2
2015/16 Sundowns 2-0 SuperSport Kekana, Castro
2015/16 SuperSport 0-2 Sundowns Mbekile, Billiat
2016/17 Sundowns 5-0 Supersport Daniels (og), T. Zwane, Mashaba, Billiat 2
2016/17 SuperSport 0-1 Sundowns Kekana
2017/18 SuperSport 0-2 Sundowns Kekana, T. Zwane
2017/18 Sundowns 1-1 SuperSport Tau; Mnyamane
2018/19 SuperSport 1-2 Sundowns Gould; Maboe, Lakay

LEAGUE RECORD (since 1990)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Sundowns 27 12 6 9 42 32
SuperSport 28 5 6 17 25 46

Away

P W D L GF GA

Sundowns 28 17 6 5 46 25
SuperSport 27 9 6 12 32 42

Total

P W D L GF GA

Sundowns 55 29 12 14 88 57
SuperSport 55 14 12 29 57 88

What They Said:

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane:

“In our next league game we have to beat SuperSport United – it’s a very big game,” said Mosimane.

“So that’s how you go. Because we have the experience in doing this thing. You can’t play an emotional game.

“We are not rookies in this [title] race. So we move slowly. We got a big point against Pirates [last time out]. The games are getting less and less. You have to be very careful.”

SuperSport United head coach Kaitano Tembo:

“We are going to take it like any other game and prepare properly because it is one game that we want to win and I know that they also want to win it,” said Tembo.

“It will be a very interesting and entertaining game for both teams.

“Dropping two points [against Polokwane City] was a setback, obviously this is not the right time to drop points.

“But, I was happy with the performance considering we hadn’t played for almost a month and we didn’t look sharp, especially in the final third.”

Key Players

Mamelodi Sundowns:

Lebohang Maboe: Pitso Mosimane has successfully transformed Maboe into a potent No 9 where he has been deployed for most of the second half of the season. The attacker’s hold up play is especially impressive and probably played a huge role in the Sundowns coach prompting the switch in position for the former Maritzburg United man. With eight goals and five assists this season, the speedy forward has played a integral role in the club’s title charge and against a physical SuperSport backline, Maboe could prove a vital cog in leading the Brazilians to victory.

Tiyani Mabunda: On what will be his 31st birthday, the midfielder will be hoping to help cut Pirates lead atop the league standings. Mabunda’s importance is often overlooked in the middle of the park, but the midfielder doesn’t mind flying under the radar; doing all the dirty work to let those around him shine. Alongside club captain Hlompho Kekana, the duo play a vital role in balancing attack and defence for the defending champions.

SuperSport United:

Rownen Williams: With 11 clean sheets in 25 league games this season, Williams has again been one of the standout goalkeepers. But he will have to raise his game if SuperSport are to end their winless run against the Brazilians with victory in the South African capital on Wednesday evening. Williams doesn’t have the best memories against his club’s crosstown rivals, something he will be hoping to change as Matsatsanta aim to keep their slim hopes of winning the title alive.

Mxolisi Macuphu: While the likes of Dean Furman will be key in trying to contain Kekana and Mabunda, it is in front of goal where SuperSport have really struggled for most parts of the season. In Macuphu, they have a striker in hot form, and since his move from Bidvest Wits, the forward has scored five goals in six league matches for SuperSport. His absence over the weekend was evident and his return could prove timely as Matsatsanta eye Tshwane bragging rights.

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