SuperSport look to end winless streak

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Jan 05, 2018. 13:30

SuperSport United will look to end their winless streak in the Absa Premiership when they host Kaizer Chiefs at Mbombela Stadium on 6 January 2018, kick-off at 18h00.

SuperSport have gone five league matches without victory after they played to a 1-1 draw away to Bloemfontein Celtic on December 20. The Tshwane side fought back from a goal down to claim a share of the spoils, with debutant Darren Smith scoring the equaliser.

Matsatsantsa have claimed 11 points from six home matches this season, with their last turn as hosts resulting in a 1-1 draw with Cape Town City in early December. Only Mamelodi Sundowns have beaten United in their own back yard.

Chiefs ended 2017 strongly, recording back-to-back 1-0 wins over Platinum Stars (away) and Ajax Cape Town (home) on December 9 and 16 respectively. However, the Soweto giants had gone on a five-match winless streak before those successes, and they have struggled to find top gear this season.

The Amakhosi have performed strongly away from home, with their only defeat from eight games on the road coming at Chippa United in early December. They have beaten Cape Town City, Maritzburg United, Mamelodi Sundowns and Platinum Stars in their own back yards.

In head-to-head stats, SuperSport and Chiefs have met in 54 league matches since 1990. Matsatsantsa have claimed 20 wins compared to 19 for Amakhosi, while 15 matches have been drawn. The Tshwane side has won eight of their 26 home matches in the rivalry, suffering eight defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, United claimed a 2-1 away win on August 23 thanks to goals from Aubrey Modiba and Bradley Grobler. These teams have played out just two draws in their last nine league meetings.

SuperSport’s line-up from their 1-1 draw with Celtic on December 20: Pieterse, Kekana, Daniels, Gould, Modiba, Furman, Letsholonyane (Nhlapo 57’), Phala, Mokoena (Smith 67’), Mbule (Mokeke 83’), Brockie.

Chiefs’ line-up from their 1-0 win over Ajax on December 16: Khune, Cardoso, Hadebe, Ngezana, Zulu (Malope 10'), Moleko (Zuma 74'), Meyiwa, Maluleka, Ekstein, Tshabalala, Parker (Paez 52').