DStv Premiership newcomers Richards Bay will be eyeing another scalp when they take on AmaZulu in a KZN derby at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday.
Kick-off is at 5pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
The Natal Rich Boyz have been the surprise package in the early stages of the new season after winning four of their opening eight matches.
Sifiso Dladla's side occupy third place and trail league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by five points with a game in hand.
The National First Division champions have already beaten Stellenbosch and Royal AM - two clubs that finished in the top four last term - and are looking to add Usuthu to their list of casualties.
Richards Bay were held to a goalless draw by TS Galaxy last time out and technical team advisor Vasili Manousakis felt they deserved more than just a point, although he stressed the importance to continuing to pick up points where they can.
"Sometimes you have to accept that a point at the end of the day is better than nothing ... and we just want to accumulate points game by game," Manousakis said after the stalemate in Durban.
"I think the league table gives you a false sense of security and comfort. Teams in 14th position are winning and jumping up to wherever - 11th, ninth, 10th - all around there.
"So we're happy where we are, don't get me wrong, we would've liked more out of it [the game] but it's also going to teach us what we need to do better, how we need to unlock these low blocks."
After going unbeaten in their first four league outings, AmaZulu have struggled for results in recent weeks, losing three of their last four encounters.
A 1-0 defeat to defending champions Sundowns prior to the international break extended their winless run to four matches and has seen Brandon Truter's team drop to sixth position in the standings.
It took a deflected goal from Marcelo Allende in the 91st minute to hand the Brazilians all three points and Truter has called for calm, saying the season is still in its infancy.
"We knew what we were going to do and we executed it [the plan] well," he said. "The result doesn't come at the right time as well. We started very well, the season, and then we got these results close to one another.
"But in the league at this stage everybody has lost twice, even Sundowns, or more so it's still open, it's still early days. It's the eighth game for us now, there's still 22 to go so we shouldn't start panicking."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
AmaZulu
Augustine Kwem: With Gabadinho Mhango suspended in midweek, Kwem is likely to return to the starting line-up, having served his ban for the red card he received against Chippa United. The Nigerian striker has one league goal to his name from seven appearances, while he also got on the scoresheet in the 2-1 victory over Cape Town City in the MTN 8 quarterfinals.
George Maluleka:The 33-year-old midfielder has quickly established himself in the first team following his switch from Mamelodi Sundowns during the off-season. Maluleka has featured in all eight league games for Usuthu, providing one assist in the process.
Richards Bay
Sanele Barns: The 25-year-old midfielder has been one of the standout players for the Natal Rich Boyz since his arrival from University of Pretoria during the off-season. Making his eighth appearance of the campaign, Barns put the TS Galaxy goalkeeper under immense pressure with his deliveries into to danger area from the flanks as he looked to add to his two assists.
Ntsikelelo Nyauza:The 32-year-old defender featured just once in August following his move from Orlando Pirates the previous month, but he started the last three games and helped Richards Bay keep two successive clean sheets. Nyauza even opened his account for his new club with the winner against Stellenbosch in his second appearance.

