Orlando Pirates will look to keep the pressure on in the Betway Premiership title race as they host Richards Bay at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto on Wednesday.
Kick-off is at 7:30pm CAT.
CURRENT FORM
Orlando Pirates enter the fixture on the back of an important, late 2-1 win against Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium last Wednesday.
The victory, and scoreline, kept the Buccaneers at the top of the Betway Premiership ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns. The two sides are level with 44 points a piece, but the Buccaneers are ahead by one goal on goal difference.
Now rebuilding their winning streak, the Sea Robbers have won back-to-back games in the league following losses to Sundowns and Casric Stars in the Nedbank Cup.
They will be looking to continue their run as they race the current holders to the Betway Premiership title.
Richards Bay come into the clash fresh off of a 1-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs at the Richards Bay Stadium last Tuesday.
The Natal Rich Boys are ninth on the log with 23 points, one point behind TS Galaxy and with a game in hand.
They have managed a mixed bag of results in their last five league games, recording three draws, one loss and one win.
A victory over the title challengers would be a big morale booster for the Natal Rich Boys as they aim to finish inside the top eight for a second straight season.
Although this is the first league meeting between the two sides this season, Pirates and Richards Bay have already faced one another this season. They met in the Carling Knockout semifinal in November where Pirates emerged with a 1-0 victory in Durban.
WHAT WAS SAID
Speaking after his side’s Soweto Derby win, Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou emphasised the need for his side to build on their outstanding performance.
“Every game that we are playing, it's to win them. For me, like I said to the players, we have to keep the same spirit every game and to go definitely with the aim, with the target to win every game. It's only with that mentality that you can maybe at the end dream about the title,” said Ouaddou.
“It's not easy to manage the pressure of that kind of game and today they really managed the pressure, they really managed the event and they delivered a great, great, great performance. I think it's one of the best games that we did and we have to build on that.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Orlando Pirates - Relebohile Mofokeng is continuing to impress in the Betway Premiership. The 21-year-old was named Betway Premiership Player of the Month for January and February as he contributed three goals and three assists in six games. He will be looking to extend his fine run of form.
Richards Bay - Sanele Barns has reminded the Richards Bay faithful of his abilities after returning to KwaZulu-Natal. He registered his first assist in his second stint at the club last Tuesday, helping them down Kaizer Chiefs. He will be looking to cause similar damage to the other Soweto Giant on Wednesday.
HEAD-TO-HEAD (league results)
Orlando Pirates wins: 3
Richards Bay wins: 1
Draws: 2