Wits target three points against Ajax

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Dec 05, 2017. 10:59

Bidvest Wits will look for three Absa Premiership points when they host Ajax Cape Town at Bidvest Stadium on 6 December 2017, kick-off at 19h30.

Wits have claimed just one point from the last nine up for grabs after they were held goalless at Maritzburg United on November 25. The stalemate in KwaZulu-Natal followed back-to-back losses at home to Chippa United and Mamelodi Sundowns as the Johannesburg side’s title defence slipped further into the mire.

The Clever Boys have been poor at home thus far in the 2017/18 campaign, picking up just three points from a possible 15. The only bright spot in their home matches was a 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates back in September.

Ajax have won just one of their last seven league matches and suffered a sixth defeat in 11 league outings when they were beaten 1-0 at SuperSport United on November 29. The Cape Town side has managed to score just nine goals so far this season and will need to up their forward play if they are to rise up the table.

The Urban Warriors’ away form is also a major concern, having claimed just one point from a possible 18. Their last three trips have all ended in defeats - and without them managing even a single goal in reply.

In head-to-head stats, Wits and Ajax have met in 34 league matches since 1999/2000. The Clever Boys have claimed 13 wins compared to 11 for the Urban Warriors, while 10 matches have ended in draws. The Johannesburg side has won eight of their 17 home league matches against their Cape Town counterparts, suffering three defeats in the process.

Last season Wits completed a league ‘double’ over Ajax, winning 2-1 in Cape Town in the first half of the campaign, before romping to a 5-0 victory in the return game in Johannesburg. The Clever Boys have won four of their last five league matches against the Urban Warriors.

Wits’ line-up from their 0-0 draw with Maritzburg on November 25: Keet, Allie, Hlatshwayo, Klate (Claasen 75’), Monare, Rodgers (Keene 87’), Hlanti, Mkhwanazi, Pienaar (Pule 61’), Phiri, Ntshangase.

Ajax’s line-up from their 1-0 loss to SuperSport on November 29: February, Lebusa, Booysen, Nhlapo, Evans (Sasman 71'), Pietersen, Margeman, Mzwakali (Losper 85'), Mosadi, Phohlongo (George 41'), Morris.