Sekhukhune United and Moroka Swallows return to league action on the back of being eliminated from the MTN 8 and lock horns at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday.
Sekhukhune United were defeated 5-0 by Orlando Pirates whereas Moroka Swallows were only defeated 1-0 by Mamelodi Sundowns, playing most of their last-eight clash a man short after Andile Jali was sent off in the seventh minute.
They have only played each other on four occasions in the league dating back to the 2021/22 season, both teams have two wins.
The last league match between the sides saw Sekhukhune United beat Moroka Swallows 1-0 at Peter Mokaba Stadium last season as Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya was the only scorer in that encounter, the second league clash between the teams in 2022-23.
Moroka Swallows were victorious in the first league encounter last season, winning 2-1 at the Dobsonville Stadium, a match in which Mwape Musonda scored a brace for the Dube Birds. He has since left the club.
While the home teams won last season during the sides' first top-flight clashes in 2021-22, the away teams were triumphant with Sekhukhune United winning the first clash 1-0 with Moroka Swallows then winning the second game 1-0 on the road.
Of the previous four clashes between the teams all four games have produced a winner with the winning margin a single goal, three of these games have ended 1-0 both of Sekhukhune’s wins have been by this scoreline. Only Swallows 2-1 home triumph last season has seen any of the teams score more that a single goal, and is the only fixture between the teams where both teams have scored.
This season only Sekhukhune United has managed to keep a clean sheet as Swallows are yet to keep a clean sheet, managing to do so in their last league game a 2-0 win over Cape Town Spurs. Swallows have yet to keep a clean-sheet conceding in a 1-1 draw against Golden Arrows, and a 1-0 loss to Cape Town City.
On the disciplinary front this season Moroka Swallows have been issued six yellow cards but no red cards as yet. Sekhukhune United have received a yellow card and a red card.
So far in the 2023/24 season Sekhukhune United have the lowest percentage in terms of possession over the last two league games with 33.33 per cent in contrast Moroka Swallows are among the top three with a 61.02 percentage.
Sekhukhune United:
Sekhukhune United have automatically qualified for the second preliminary round of the Caf Confederations Cup after eSwatini outfit Young Buffaloes withdrew from the competition.
In the DStv Premiership, Sekhukhune United beat Cape Town Spurs 2-0 at the Athlone Stadium in their last league encounter after kicking off with a 2-1 home loss against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Hosts Sekhukhune United are in seventh place on the log standings with three points after two matches.
So far in the season Sekhukhune United has had the second lowest number of crosses in open play (14) whereas their opposition Moroka Swallows have 25.
New signing Jamie Webber, who joined from SuperSport United, has so far shown a lot of promise in the Sekhukhune United midfield and will be looking to continue his good form for Babina Noko. Since scoring on his debut for Sekhukhune United this season he has recorded one assist, 38 successful passes and has won 18 duels.
In the 2022/23 season Sekhukhune United had the joint third most home wins (8) alongside Orlando Pirates (D5 L2), collecting 29 of their 40 points at home. They won just two games on the road.
Last season they were the fourth best team in terms of fouls won in the final third.
Only three teams, this season, have conceded errors which have led to goals and Sekhukhune United is one of those teams along with Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
Moroka Swallows:
Moroka Swallows' last league match saw them beaten for the first time in the league this season 1-0 by Cape Town City at Volkswagen Dobsonville Stadium, leaving them in 13th place on one point.
In the previous season Moroka Swallows, in their match, played to a 0-0 draw against now relegated Maritzburg United which then saw them have four points at this point in the season after already beating Cape Town City 3-2.
Going into this match against Sekhukhune United they sit on one point and they could once again end up with four points after their opening three league games should they beat Babina Noko.
Swallows goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi is joint first with Kaizer Chiefs’ Brandon Peterson this season with the most number of saves made with 10 saves each.
Moroka Swallows are among six clubs who have been caught offside the most this season with 6 offside calls going against them.
They are the club with the least number of interceptions this season with 14 interceptions made.
In the last campaign Moroka Swallows were the team with the second most aerial duels won with 601.
Going back to last season Swallows have lost one of their last six away league games (W4 D1). They won four of their final five away games last season winning their last two of the campaign against Kaizer Chiefs and Royal AM and drew 1-1 with Golden Arrows this season on the road.
Head to head in league games
P W D L GF GA GD
Sekhukhune 4 2 0 2 3 3 0
Swallows 4 2 0 2 3 3 0