Pirates, Arrows looking to bounce back

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Nov 20, 2017. 10:30

Both Orlando Pirates and Golden Arrows will be looking to bounce back from Absa Premiership defeats when they face off at the Orlando Stadium on 21 November 2017, kick-off at 19h30.

Pirates suffered their first home defeat of the season when they were beaten 3-1 by Mamelodi Sundowns on November 1. The Soweto side had claimed 10 points from a possible 12 as hosts until the Brazilians came to visit.

The Buccaneers’ coach Milutin Sredojevic will be concerned that his team has gone five league matches without picking up a win - their last three-pointer was a 1-0 victory over Cape Town City back in mid September.

Arrows suffered their first league defeat of the season when they were beaten 3-0 at SuperSport United on October 31. The Durban side has gone five league matches without a win and coach Clinton Larsen will be concerned with their dip in form.

Abafana Bes’thende have claimed nine points from six away matches so far this season, while two of their three league victories have been on the road - 3-1 at Bidvest Wits and 1-0 at Platinum Stars.

In head-to-head stats, Pirates and Arrows have met in 32 league matches since 2000/01. The Buccaneers have claimed 18 wins compared to six for Abafana Bes’thende, while eight matches have been drawn. The Soweto side has won 10 of their 16 home league matches against their Durban counterparts, suffering just two defeats in the process.

Last season Pirates claimed a 3-1 home win in the first half of the campaign, but the return game in Durban saw Arrows claim a 2-1 win on the final day of the season. These teams have not played to a draw in a league meeting since the first half of the 2009/10 season.

Pirates’ line-up from their 3-1 loss to Sundowns on November 1: Sandilands, Mobara, Chabalala, Maela (Nyatama 34'), Van Heerden, Matlaba, Sarr, Qalinge, Lorch (Morrison 73'), Makola, Kutumela (Gabuza 23').

Arrows’ line-up from their 3-0 loss to SuperSport United on October 31: Gumede, Nkombelo, Mzava, Mngwengwe, Dube, Bilankulu, Magubane (Shongwe 57'), Mahachi, Sibiya (Chideu 46' [Lamola 74']), Jooste, Mutizwa.