Mamelodi Sundowns will resume their defence of the DStv Premiership title with a match against Royal AM at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday.
Kick-off is at 7:30 pm CAT.
FORM
Masandawana stretched their unbeaten run to 18 matches across all competitions when they thrashed Al Ahly 5-2 in a CAF Champions League clash in Pretoria on Saturday.
The Tshwane giants are placed at the top of the DStv Premiership standings - 17 points clear of second-placed SuperSport United and Sundowns need just eight points from their last eight games to clinch the league title.
Meanwhile, Royal extended their unbeaten run to six matches across all competitions when they defeated Lamontville Golden Arrows 3-1 in extra-time in the Nedbank Cup Last 16 match on Saturday.
Thwihli Thwahla are placed seventh on the DStv Premiership standings - three points behind fifth-placed Cape Town City as the battle to finish in the top eight intensifies with eight matches left.
TEAM NEWS
Sundowns have no suspension concerns, but the reigning DStv Premiership champions have one of the biggest injury lists in the PSL.
Lebohang Maboe, Gaston Sirino, Lesedi Kapinga, Sphelele Mkhulise, Bongani Zungu, Abubeker Nasir, Gift Motupa, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thabiso Kutumela and Rushine De Reuck missed the game against Al Ahli due to their respective injurues.
On the other hand, Royal will be without Philani Cele who is suspended when they take on Sundowns, while Patrick Nyame, Thato Lingwati, Motebang Sera, Mxolisi Macuphu and Lesvin Stoffels are currently injured.
WHAT WAS SAID?
Sundowns head coach Rhulani Mokwena
“Don’t forget that today we beat a very, very good side. Give this group a fair chance, most of them really, really are playing their first real Champions League, so give them a fair chance to compete and to fight for it," Mokwena said.
"It’s not easy, we are in the last three competitions until the end of the season [and] we’ve got a lot of traveling in between. Now we have to face a very motivated Royal AM side with a new coach in John Maduka.”
“After that [game on Tuesday] immediately the next day we’ve got to travel. We are off to another hostile environment with heat. We have to put 90 minutes into the legs and that’s not going to be easy because now the expectations have been raised."
Royal head coach John Maduka
"We allowed them (Arrows) to have the ball because whenever they had it, I didn't think they could hurt us," Maduka said.
"We played well, the boys showed character, especially going to extra time. We needed real men to show that they're strong and the boys did exactly that and I am proud of them.
"We knew that with them having two players in their defense, we will be able to pass them. It takes a second to score a goal and that's exactly what happened, we scored the second goal and then again, we scored the third goal."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mamelodi Sundowns:
Teboho Mokoena: The influential central midfielder scored a contender for the 2022-23 CAF Champions League Goal of the Season against Al Ahly and he will pose a threat to Royal with his long-range shooting ability.
Peter Shalulile: The in-form centre forward has impressively scored six goals from his last four competitive matches after grabbing a brace against Al Ahly. Shalulile will be keen to inspire Downs to a win over Royal.
Royal AM:
Levy Mashiane: The quick winger came off the bench to grab a brace which inspired Royal to a win over Arrows. Mashiane will be hoping to be handed a starting berth and propel his side to another victory.
Sedwyn George: The towering forward was also influential after coming on as a substitute against Arrows - grabbing an assist for Mashiane's first goal. George's aerial prowess is likely to create problems for the Downs defence.