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Pirates eye top spot with SuperSport win

rugby21 October 2024 12:00| © Backpage TXT
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Orlando Pirates will be out to hand SuperSport United a hat-trick of defeats when they meet in Tuesday's Betway Premiership at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

Kick-off time is 7:30 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

The Buccaneers are licking their wounds after suffering their first defeat of the season when they succumbed to a 3-2 loss to Magesi FC in the Carling Knockout Round of 16 clash on Saturday.

Pirates, who boast of a 100 per cent win record in the Betway Premiership, are placed second on the league standings - level on points with leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns and a win over SuperSport will elevate the Soweto giants to the top of the table.

Meanwhile, SuperSport recorded their second successive defeat when they were thumped 4-0 by Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday in the Carling Knockout Round of 16 encounter.

Matsatsantsa, who lost to Cape Town City in their last match in the Betway Premiership, are occupying the 13th spot in the standings and a win over Pirates will elevate the Tshwane giants into the top eight.

TEAM NEWS

Pirates have no suspension issues, but Zakhele Lepasa, Sandile Mthethwa, Goodman Mosele, Thabiso Lebitso Olisa Ndah and Thalente Mbatha are all on the club's injury list.

SuperSport, on the other hand, will be without the suspended Gape Moralo, while Bradley Grobler and Grant Margeman are on the club's injury list.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro

“The feeling of getting eliminated here at home (at Orlando Stadium) is not nice, that goes without saying," Riveiro said.

"But we have to accept it quickly because we play on Tuesday, SuperSport United are coming and we need to get those three points by any means."

SuperSport United head coach Gavin Hunt

"I thought we were really good, we have to move on and pick up the pieces. Like I said we lost another midfield player (Moralo). We are struggling," Hunt said.

"I couldn't take him off because we don't have anyone else. So, yeah, I had to take a few of them off in order to save him because that is all we have got for Tuesday."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kabelo Dlamini, Orlando Pirates: The left-footed playmaker was very influential against Magesi - grabbing a goal and an assist. Dlamini will be hoping to start once again and play a key role in helping the Buccaneers return to winning ways.

Terrence Dzvukamanja, SuperSport United: The former Pirates forward has become Matsatsantsa's first-choice striker with Grobler out injured. Dzvukamanja, who netted the winning goal against TS Galaxy last month, will be keen to haunt the Bucs by inspiring Matsatsantsa to a win.

Head-to-Head

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2019/20 SuperSport 3-0 Pirates Grobler 2, Lungu

2019/20 Pirates 2-1 SuperSport Pule, Lepasa; Fleurs

2020/21 Pirates 2-1 SuperSport Lepasa, Mabasa; Mokoena

2020/21 SuperSport 1-1 Pirates Motshwari (og); Pule

2021/22 Pirates 3-2 SuperSport Hoto 2 (2 pen), Mosele; Johannes, Lungu

2021/22 SuperSport 2-0 Pirates Makaringe (og), Lungu (pen)

2022/23 SuperSport 0-0 Pirates

2022/23 Pirates 1-0 SuperSport Xoki (pen)

2023/24 SuperSport 3-1 Pirates Campbell 2, Grobler; Makaringe

2023/24 Pirates 1-1 SuperSport Mabasa; Moralo

LEAGUE RECORD (since 1990)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Pirates 33 17 10 6 50 26

SuperSport 33 15 8 10 44 33

Away

P W D L GF GA

Pirates 33 10 8 15 33 44

SuperSport 33 6 10 17 26 50

Total

P W D L GF GA

Pirates 66 27 18 21 83 70

SuperSport 66 21 18 27 70 83

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