Royal, Richards to battle for spot

Royal AM will battle it out with Richards Bay in a DStv Premiership match at the Chatsworth Stadium on Tuesday.

Kick-off is at 5:00 pm CAT.

Thwihli Thwahla bounced back to winning ways in the league when they claimed a comfortable 2-1 win over Sekhukhune United away on Saturday.

The KwaZulu-Natal side is now placed at the top of the league standings with 13 points from seven matches and they will extend their lead at the top with a win over Richards Bay.

Dan Malesela, the Royal co-head coach, stated that they are likely to play their fringe players when they take on the Natal Rich Boys.

"Youthful side, we’ve got players at home that are training. Maybe we will make changes, we will see. It will depend if we really have to,” Malesela said.

“There are players who were sitting on the bench now, didn’t play. Maybe we give them a chance against Richards Bay. Also, try and rotate the players a little bit just to take out the fatigue but it will all depend.

"Sometimes you want to rest players and they tell you, ‘No, No, I don’t want to rest’, so we give them a chance."

Meanwhile, Richards Bay also returned to winning ways in the DStv Premiership when they edged out Stellenbosch FC 2-1 away on Saturday.

The Natal Rich Boys are currently placed fifth on the league standings with 10 points from six matches and they will climb to the top of the table if they secure a win over Royal AM.

Vasili Manousakis, the Richards Bay co-head coach, was happy to see his side grind out a win over Stellies and he explained that they are at 70 per cent from where they want to be.

"I think if we’re honest with ourselves, we grinded that result out. And we did enough to let’s say make them uncomfortable in the second half," Manousakis said.

"And I think that’s how we landed up with the three points. You have to change it up sometimes, so I think we are about 70 per cent from where we want to be.

"But as you say, it helps to have the points, to have the three wins under our belt and not worry about it dragging you down on top of it.”

Royal AM: PLAYERS TO WATCH

Latshane Phalane: The left-footed midfielder was influential in the middle of the park against Sekhukhune and he grabbed an assist. Phalane will be keen to dominate the midfield battle against Richards Bay.

Mfundo Thikazi: The in-form attacker grabbed a brace against Sekhukhune which propelled Thwihli Thwahla to a victory. Thikazi will be looking to replicate the same form when he faces the Natal Rich Boys.

Richards Bay: PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ntsikelelo Nyauza: The experienced defender was the hero during the clash with Stellenbosch - scoring the winning goal. Nyauza will be hoping to play an instrumental role in helping Richards Bay overcome Thwihli Thwahla.

Sanele Barns: The 25-year-old attacker was in his element during Natal Rich Boys' win over Stellies - grabbing a goal and assist. Barns' blistering speed and sharp movement are likely to create problems for Royal AM.