Kaizer Chiefs play Marumo Gallants on Saturday in the Premier Soccer League fixture that will be staged at the FNB Stadium.
With the season almost ending, both teams are desperate to get maximum points in their bid to push for the MTN8 slot.
Currently, the Glamour Boys are placed eighth on the table with 31 points from 25 matches, four more than Bahlabane Ba Ntwa, who are placed 13th in the log after playing 25 games as well.
Recent Form and Head-to-Head Record
The Soweto giants desperately need maximum points to retain their slot in the top eight, but anything less than a win might cost them.
Chiefs have gone five league games without tasting a win; they have lost two and drawn the remaining three. Their only win in their last six outings across all competitions came against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup semi-final.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa are at risk of dropping to the danger zone if they don't get positive results in the remaining games.
In the last five league games, Gallants have managed two wins, as many draws, and a loss, which gives them motivation against the inconsistent Amakhosi.
In the head-to-head record, Chiefs have won two of the last five league meetings, with the remaining three ending in draws. Amakhosi won the latest meeting 2-1.
What They Said
Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma has refuted claims that the club underrates the so-called smaller teams and delivers in the more difficult ones. “I don’t think that played a part in our minds because we know the importance of the game that we’re gonna play over the weekend. We know that we need points.
“We know that we are not in a position where we would like to finish at the end of the season, and also we know that us win the so-called small games or not playing against a bigger team, we know the importance of it because it can take us higher up in the league,” he said in a pre-match interview.
“I wouldn’t say that our players are focused on the derby at the moment because right now every game is like a final for us. Marumo, when we win, we know we get the momentum going into the next game. We know we get the maximum points that we need in order to finish better in the league.”
Team News and Probable XI
Kaizer Chiefs come into the match without the services of Gaston Sirino and Pule Mmodi, who are injured. It is not yet clear whether Reeve Frosler is back for the tricky assignment.
Marumo Gallants will miss the services of Diala Edgar Manaka, who, just like the aforementioned duo, is suspended.
Kaizer Chiefs Probable XI: Bvuma, Solomons, Cross, Dove, Kwinika, Maart, Cele, Duba, Matlou, Lilepo, Morris
Marumo Gallants Probable XI: Arubi, Mathiane, Mabotja, Sibiya, Ncube, Mahlatsi, Nemtajela, Ndlovu, Sithole, Dion, Msendani
Where to Watch
The game will be live at SuperSports Premier Soccer League channel 202 from 15.00 hours SAT.
