Arrows look to bounce back as they welcome Wits

Lamontville Golden Arrows will face Bidvest Wits in an Absa Premiership match at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont, Durban, on Thursday.

Kick-off is at 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

Abafana Bes'thende saw their four-match unbeaten run in the league come to an end when they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Black Leopards away in their last game.

As a result, Arrows are placed fourth on the league standings - a point behind third-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, who have two games in hand.

Abafana bes’thende host the clever boys

We will start wrapping up the first round of the season with our last home game of 2019 against Bidvest Wits tomorrow night at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.https://t.co/vHQMe3WwFm#AbsaPrem #DurbanHasMore #BuildingTheBrand pic.twitter.com/nizn8280tf

— Lamontville Golden Arrows FC (@goldenarrowsfc1) December 11, 2019

Steve Komphela, the Arrows coach, says his charges need to learn to rise to the occasion when the stakes are high.

"When stakes are high, we fail to rise to the occasion," Komphela said.

"This calls for a stronger mindset, more concentration and focus to team goals than individual goals."

Meanwhile, Wits are winless in their last two league matches after drawing 1-1 with Highlands Park away in their previous match.

The Clever Boys are currently placed ninth on the league standings - a point behind fifth-placed Bloemfontein Celtic, but the former have five games in hand.

Will history repeat itself? According to the stats our #TheCleverBoys have a solid chance of success against Arrows on Thursday. Go get them boys!https://t.co/EXJkYPjR64

— Bidvest Wits (@BidvestWits) December 10, 2019

Gavin Hunt, the Wits coach, is concerned by his side's scoring problem as they return to league action after their Caf Confederation Cup clashes with AC Horoya and Djoliba AC.

"The problem for us is we haven't scored in four games now, so it's a major problem," Hunt said.

"But we're not playing badly, that's for sure, so keep going. As I say, four games now we haven't scored a goal."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Golden Arrows

Seth Parusnath - The attacking midfielder is enjoying his breakthrough season in the Absa Premiership. Parusnath will be hoping to play a key role in helping Arrows win at home.

Knox Mutizwa - The striker is the joint top-scorer in the Absa Premiership with eight goals. Mutizwa will be looking to add to his tally against the former league champions.

Bidvest Wits

Thulani Hlatshwayo - The inspirational captain has found the back of the net twice in the Absa Premiership this season. Hlatshwayo will be keen to lead his side to a win in Durban.

Deon Hotto - The winger is Wits' top goalscorer in the Absa Premiership with three goals. Hotto will be eager to play an instrumental role in helping his side overcome Arrows.