Bidvest Wits will do battle against a relegation threatened AmaZulu side at FNB Stadium in Soweto in one of three Absa Premiership fixtures scheduled for Friday.
Kick-off is at 3:30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).
The Clever Boys played to a 0-0 draw at home to Golden Arrows earlier this week, a result which saw their run of stalemates extend to three in a row – though they are unbeaten in their last five league outings.
Wits still harbour slim hopes of league glory and continue to showcase a lot of desire to win matches despite everything that has happened at the club in recent months.
Zitha Macheke has commended his teammates for the way they've conducted themselves during the lockdown period and predicts a tough tussle against AmaZulu.
"To be honest I am happy with our performances thus far, it shows the professionalism in the team. Besides everything that has happened with the team -- I think if it was different people in the same environment they would behave in a different manner. Here you can see the good attitude, we are really trying to win games. We are really determined to win games," said Macheke.
"It is a very tricky game, AmaZulu are playing for their lives so every point is important. They will be coming at us very hard, they will do everything in their power to survive, so it will be a very difficult game."
AmaZulu come into the match on the back of their sixth draw of the league season, as they were held 0-0 at home by fellow strugglers Baroka FC.
The result leaves the KwaZulu-Natal club fighting at the wrong end of the standings and they will be desperate for another win at FNB Stadium to ease relegation fears.
"The preparations are going well, the boys are ready. We have worked on what we have seen from Wits but also put a huge focus on our own game," said Usuthu caretaker coach Ayanda Dlamini.
"It should be a confidence booster for the players knowing that the last time we played at FNB Stadium we got a very good result against Kaizer Chiefs. I am hoping that result will help us in the next match against Wits.
"It is very difficult at the bottom, but it is all in our hands. We need to win our games and that is the only thing that will help us. We just need to focus on our games and I think if we do that, that will help us."
When the teams met earlier this season, at King Zwelithini Stadium in August 2019, Wits claimed a 3-0 away win thanks to goals from Terrence Dzvukamanja, Deon Hotto and Thulani Hlatshwayo.
BIDVEST WITS: KEY PLAYERS
Cole Alexander: The hard-running midfielder has been the Clever Boys' best player post lockdown. Alexander is tireless and has played every minute for the club in the Premier Soccer League's bio-bubble. A man of the match performance last time out, Bidvest Wits head coach Gavin Hunt will be hoping for another eye-catching performance from his midfield hardman.
Mxolisi Macuphu: Wits are expected to be without Terrence Dzvukamanja through injury and with Gift Motupa not included in the bio-bubble squad, the burden of goals falls on the shoulders of Macuphu and Bienvenu Eva Nga. Macuphu hit the woodwork on two occasions in their 0-0 draw against Arrows and will be hoping for better luck against AmaZulu.
AMAZULU: KEY PLAYERS
Bongi Ntuli: One of the top marksmen in the league this season, Ntuli has scored almost all of Usuthu's goals in the current campaign. In total, he has 12th of AmaZulu's 14 goals this season and the KwaZulu-Natal club will be counting on Ntuli once more as they aim to claw themselves away from the relegation zone.
Mario Booysen: The towering centre-back will have an integral role to play if AmaZulu are to edge their way past a well organised Wits unit. The Clever Boys always boast an aerial threat and Booysen will need to be on his toes to help stifle the problems Wits are set to pose.