Head-to-head: Orlando Pirates v Maritzburg United

Two teams with contrasting PSL form clash at Orlando Stadium on Friday when Orlando Pirates host Maritzburg United.

Maritzburg won the last PSL meeting between the sides, triumphing 1-0 at Harry Gwala Stadium on 4 September 2022. Amadou Soukouna scored for Maritzburg United in the 80th minute with a spot-kick.

Maritzburg’s win over Pirates earlier in the season was their first league triumph over Pirates since 13th December 2016 a 2-1 home win, ending a run of 11 league games without a win over Pirates (D4 L7).

Pirates are undefeated in their last seven home league games against Maritzburg United (W4 D3).

Maritzburg United’s last away league win over Orlando Pirates was on 2 December 2014, over eight years ago. Back then Mohamed Anas gave Maritzburg the lead in the third minute. Despite Kermit Erasmus equalising in the 35th minute Anas completed his brace scoring in the 45th minute to give Maritzburg victory.

Of the nine draws between the sides six have ended 0-0, Pirates have been the hosts for four of these games in 2005-06, 2015-16, 2018-19 and 2019-20.

Pirates and Maritzburg United have clashed in 33 league games going back to the 2005-06 season, Pirates have won 17 games, with Maritzburg winning seven while there have been nine draws. Bucs, over their previous 33 league games against Maritzburg have scored 41 goals to Maritzburg’s 26.

The Buccaneers have hosted Maritzburg United 16 times previously, Pirates have managed to win nine of these games, five have ended in a draw, with just two wins for Maritzburg United. Pirates have also outscored Maritzburg 22 goals to 10 in these games.

Last season the corresponding fixture ended in a 4-1 win for Orlando Pirates on 24 May 2022. Thembinkosi Lorch opened the scoring in the 21st minute, Maritzburg new boy Kwame Peprah made it 2-0 in the 42nd minute for Orlando Pirates. Deon Hotto and Kabelo Dlamini scored in the 60th and 69th minute while Friday Samu managed to score a consolation goal for Maritzburg in the 63rd minute.

Pirates have won their last two home league games against Maritzburg. Victory will see them win three successive home league games over Maritzburg for the first time.

Maritzburg’s two away league wins over Pirates came in the form of a 3-2 triumph in the 2012-13 season, as well as a 2-1 win in 2014-15. They (Maritzburg United) are playing their sixth league game on a Friday this season, their previous five have all been at home. Their record this season in league games played on a Friday night reads W0 D2 L3.

On a Friday in league games this season Maritzburg United have lost to Arrows 2-0, 2-1 to SuperSport United and TS Galaxy. They have played out two draws, 1-1 against AmaZulu their last league game on a Friday earlier this month, while drawing 1-1 back in August with Swallows.

For Pirates this is their third league game this season on a Friday. Back in October they drew 1-1 with AmaZulu at home, while on 30 December 2022 they lost 2-0 away to Sundowns.

Head- to- head league games

P W D L GF GA GD

Orlando Pirates 33 17 9 7 41 26 15