Golden Arrows will be looking to derail Orlando Pirates' bid to win the Betway Premiership title when they meet at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale on Wednesday.
Kick-off is at 7:30 pm CAT.
CURRENT FORM
Abafana Bes'thende extended their winless run to four matches across all competitions when they drew 1-1 with Cape Town City in a league match on 5 February, having registered two defeats and two draws.
Arrows find themselves placed 10th in the Betway Premiership standings - three points behind seventh-placed AmaZulu FC and a win over Pirates would see Abafana Bes'thende climb into the top eight if other results go their way.
Meanwhile, Pirates returned to winning ways when they defeated Baroka FC 3-1 in the Nedbank Cup on 15 February and prior to the match, Mamelodi Sundowns had ended the Buccaneers' five-match unbeaten run.
The Buccaneers are occupying second spot in the Betway Premiership standings - nine points behind leaders Sundowns, but the Soweto giants have two games in hand.
TEAM NEWS
Golden Arrows have no suspension concerns, but they will be without the services of their star striker Lungelo Nguse who has been ruled out for the rest of the current season due to an injury.
Orlando Pirates, on the other hand, will be without the suspended Kabelo Dlamini, while teammates Thabiso Sesane, Zakhele Lepasa, Thabiso Monyane and Thabiso Lebitso are on the club's injury list.
WHAT WAS SAID
Golden Arrows co-head coach Musa Bilankulu
"We are aware of their (Pirates) recent form and they are a high-scoring team. But I believe that they also have areas of concern defensively that we can exploit," Bilankulu said.
"We have been training [to exploit] their weaknesses and I am sure that when the game comes we will have ironed out each and every aspect offensively and defensively to overcome the opponents."
Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro
“Obviously, if there’s something that we didn’t need, it was extra time (against Baroka FC), because it would affect a lot of the planning for the next week," Riveiro said.
“We have a difficult game away against Golden Arrows and we are hosting Cape Town City here on Saturday. So again, it’s good to finish the game inside the 90 minutes and, like I said, also have the opportunity to give some other players game minutes.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nduduzo Sibiya, Golden Arrows: The creative midfielder remains one of the most technically gifted players in the league, having grabbed an assist against Cape Town City and he could be key to an Abafana Bes'thende win over Pirates.
Tshegofatso Mabasa, Orlando Pirates: The lethal striker showed why he is among the best strikers in the country by grabbing a hat-trick against Baroka and he will be determined to inspire his side to another victory in midweek.