Orlando Pirates will play host to Bidvest Wits at Emirates Airline Park (Ellis Park) on Saturday evening in what promises to be another enthralling Absa Premiership encounter.
Kick-off is 6pm CAT.
The Buccaneers head into this weekend's round of fixtures in third place on the log standings and on the back of a 0-0 draw away to Mamelodi Sundowns in their opening game in the Premier Soccer League's (PSL) bio-bubble.
Pirates were the better team and were unlucky not to claim all three points against the defending champions as their winless run in the league extended to three matches.
Head coach Josef Zinnbauer was content with the way his team played, all considered, as the Soweto giants now shift focus to a team that beat them 4-3 in the reverse fixture between the two clubs earlier this season.
"First time, you could see it's [been] a long time since we last played but we came more and more into the game. In the first half, a 0-0 was okay. The second half was much better, we had chances to win the game but Sundowns always had a chance," said Zinnbauer.
"It was a very difficult game for us, top players against us. Yes, in the end of the time we hit the post, with a little luck you win the game.
"I'm not 100 per cent unhappy, I'm not 100 per cent [feeling] bad. We have the next game in three days, that's the focus now."
Bidvest Wits have already played two times since the restart and held league leaders Kaizer Chiefs to a 1-1 draw in Orlando on Wednesday evening. Cole Alexander scored a last-gasp equaliser for the Clever Boys as they climbed up to fifth on the log standings.
Club captain ThulanI Hlatshwayo is expecting a similar challenge from Pirates to what they faced against Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup last weekend.
"We know what kind of a team Pirates are, they are a speedy team. Their front three, front four are very quick and use their pace to challenge the defence. It will be similar to the games we played against Chiefs and Sundowns in the past few days," said Hlatshwayo.
"With the combination play of Sundowns we had to do a lot of shifting, they move a lot, they don't really have an out-and-out striker, they play between the pockets and Pirates are similar in that aspect."
Former Bidvest Wits forward Gabadinho Mhango will be aiming to find the back of the net against his former employers and Hlatshwayo is wary of the threat posed by the league's leading marksman.
"He [Mhango] just goes, he just runs and shoots from every angle. He has done very well and he will obviously want to add to his tally and we will need to be alert at all times. Pirates have a lot of quality in attack," Hlatshwayo concluded.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
ORLANDO PIRATES
Vincent Pule: Another former Bidvest Wits man, Pule is one of the most dangerous and exciting players in the league on his day. He is a key to the attacking threat posed by the Buccaneers and keeps opposition defenders on their toes throughout the 90 minutes of every game.
Fortune Makaringe: The midfield maestro caught the eye in the first Premiership game back since lockdown and has formed a good relationship with Ben Motshwari in the middle of the park. Makaringe is the driving force in the Pirates side and plays a key role in feeding the attacking talent in front of him.
BIDVEST WITS
Cole Alexander: One of the standout players for Bidvest Wits throughout the campaign, Alexander's energy levels and never-say-die attitude makes him a dream asset for any team. Not only does he play an integral part in breaking down opposition attacks but, as showcased in midweek, he has the odd goal in him from the deep-lying midfield role.
Thulani Hlatshwayo: The Clever Boys skipper has been heavily linked with a move to Pirates once Wits's sale goes through at the end of the season and he will have a point to prove against his prospective future employers. Coming up against a dangerous Pirates attack, Hlatshwayo will have to lead from the back as Bidvest Wits eye all three points.