Orlando Pirates will be desperate to get their DStv Premiership season back on track when Golden Arrows arrive at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Kick-off is at 3.30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
The Buccaneers, who beat AmaZulu 1-0 in the NTN8 final two months ago to claim their first silverware of the campaign, are well off the pace in the title race down in eighth place.
Jose Riveiro's side squandered an early lead to lose 2-1 against Cape Town City last Saturday, which was their third defeat on the spin and left them 21 points adrift of league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
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But Riveiro insists Pirates have not given up the fight yet as there are many twists and turns to come during what is set to be a hectic second half of the season.
"We are all going through different moments in the season - good and bad. That's why the winner will be the one that managed to do it better," the Spanish tactician said.
"At the moment there is a team (Sundowns) that is getting an advantage over the other competitors and it's going to be tough for some to get close to that.
"But are we giving up? Never! No one! I don't think it's only Pirates that's not giving up. What we know about this team is that we are competitive people."
Abafana Bes'thende will be in confident mood heading to Soweto after pulling off a surprise 2-1 victory over SuperSport United last time out.
Arrows had resumed domestic duties after the World Cup break with a 2-0 derby triumph against Maritzburg United before going down 2-0 to Kaizer Chiefs on New Year's Eve.
Vusumuzi Vilakazi's team are tied with Bucs on 19 points but occupy sixth spot by virtue of more goals scored and they'll be seeking a first win over the Soweto giants in four games.
Vilakazi was pleased to see his defence cope with the mounting pressure from Matsatsantsa in the second half to hold on for all three points and arrest a four-match winless run at home.
"Obviously we knew they (SuperSport) would be desperate in the second half because they were losing 2-0 so they threw everything up front but we still needed to be strong defensively and also rely on our goalkeeper to help us," he said.
"But I think the boys fought very well and stuck to the plan, which is something we can build upon going forward."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Orlando Pirates
Deon Hotto: The 32-year-old Namibian winger was a constant thorn in City's side down the left flank and opened the scoring with a scorching strike from the edge of the box on 20 minutes. It was Hotto's second goal in 14 outings this term and he'll be targeting more of the same against Arrows.
Thabang Monare: The 33-year-old midfielder put in an assured performance against the Citizens in what was his fifth league start of the campaign. Monare has yet to register any goals or assists in his seven appearances but will be keen to make a more telling impact against Abafana Bes'thende.
Golden Arrows
Knox Mutizwa: The 29-year-old Zimbabwean striker finally broke his duck for the season with a fine finish from a tight angle on the left to double Arrows' lead against SuperSport following a superb ball over the top by Lungelo Dube. Mutizwa will now be hoping to kick on in a bid to at least match his tally of six goals last term.
Nduduzo Sibiya: The 27-year-old winger is the club's joint-top scorer this term alongside Pule Mmodi after breaking the deadlock against Matsatsantsa. In truth Sibiya was fortunate to get another bite of the cherry after he converted on the rebound when his poor spot-kick had been saved by Ricardo Goss. He is now just one goal shy of equalling his best haul in an Arrows shirt.