Pirates eye return to summit in Galaxy clash

Orlando Pirates will be keen to reclaim the Betway Premiership's top spot with a victory when they travel to face TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 3:30 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

The Rockets are enduring a difficult spell as they stretched their winless run to six matches in the league when they drew 1-1 with Stellenbosch FC away on 13 March, finally halting their five-match losing streak.

Galaxy occupy the ninth spot, but they are level on points with eighth-placed Golden Arrows. A positive outcome against Pirates would deliver a major boost and build momentum for the run-in as they seek a top-eight finish.

Pirates, meanwhile, have shown strong consistency in recent weeks as they are undefeated in four matches, but they relinquished the league lead following a 1-1 draw at home to Siwelele FC on 14 March.

Pirates are placed second in the league standings, two points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. A win over Galaxy would see Bucs boost their title bid by returning to the top spot, as Sundowns will be in the Caf Champions League action on Sunday.

TEAM NEWS

Orlando Pirates will be missing the services of Tapelo Xoki, Kabelo Dlamini, and Sihle Nduli, who remain sidelined by injuries, but a boost comes with Boitumelo Radiopane having recovered from his injury.

TS Galaxy, on the other hand, will be without key striker Victor Letsoalo, who is suspended after accumulating yellow cards, his fourth in a recent draw against Stellenbosch.

WHAT WAS SAID?

TS Galaxy head coach Adnan Beganovic

“I'm so proud of my team because we stayed calm and then we tried to play our game [against Stellenbosch]," Beganovic said.

"We stayed compact but still tried to find space behind and we created chances to score and then, you know, when you have no points after five games, this is exactly what we wanted."

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou

“Our boys gave everything on the pitch [against Siwelele]. We could’ve been more efficient in the last third, but let’s take the positives," Ouaddou said.

"There are still nine games to go and anything can happen in football. It’s not an exact science. We will give some rest to the guys, and afterwards we will come back to the battle and fight until the end.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seluleko Mahlambi, TS Galaxy: The 21-year-old exciting attacker is carrying the team's attacking hopes with Puso Dithejane gone, having netted five goals and provided three assists in the league this season.

Tshepang Moremi, Orlando Pirates: The quick-fire winger has been one of the most outstanding PSL attackers this season, having grabbed a goal against Siwelele FC to take his tally to 10 goals plus three assists.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2020-21 Galaxy 1-0 Pirates Phohlongo

2021-22 Pirates 2-0 Galaxy Shandu, Makgaka

2021-22 Galaxy 1-0 Pirates Hlongwane

2022-23 Pirates 2-0 Galaxy Msimango (og), Lepasa

2022-23 Galaxy 1-2 Pirates Msimango; Dzvukamanja, Hotto

2023-24 Pirates 1-0 Galaxy Hotto

2023-24 Galaxy 1-0 Pirates Mahlangu

2024-25 Galaxy 0-2 Pirates Mbatha, Mofokeng

2024-25 Pirates 1-1 Galaxy Shandu; Mvelase