Wits desperate to turn their form around

Thabo Mnyamane of Supersport United challenged by Sifiso Hlanti of Bidvest Wits during the 2017 Absa Premiership 2016/17 match between Bidvest Wits and Supersport United at the Bidvest Stadium, South Africa on 25 April 2017 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Jan 10, 2018. 09:24

Bidvest Wits will be desperate to turn their form around when they host SuperSport United for an Absa Premiership clash at Bidvest Stadium on 10 January 2018, kick-off at 19h30.

Wits opened 2018 with a 1-0 loss at home to Free State Stars on January 5 - a second successive defeat in the league and a result which extended their winless run to seven matches. In that sequence, the Johannesburg side has managed to score just one goal.

The Clever Boys’ home form has been diabolical this season, with six defeats from eight matches. They have managed just two goals and conceded 10, while their only home win came against Orlando Pirates back in September.

SuperSport come into the match having drawn 0-0 at home with Kaizer Chiefs on January 6. The result saw the Tshwane side extend their winless run in the league to six matches - their last three-pointer was a 1-0 victory over Ajax Cape Town back in late November.

Matsatsantsa have accumulated five points from as many away matches this season. Their only win on the road saw them defeat Chiefs 2-1 way back in August last year, while their last three away games have brought just one point from a possible nine.

In head-to-head stats, Wits and SuperSport have met in 50 league matches since 1990. Each side has claimed 16 wins, there have been 18 draws, and Matsatsantsa have outscored the Clever Boys by only one goal: 45 to 44. The Johannesburg side has won eight of 25 home league matches in the rivalry, suffering seven defeats in the process.

Last season United did a league ‘double’ over Wits, winning 2-0 at home and 1-0 away to take a full haul of six points off the eventual champions. Prior to those matches, the Clever Boys had gone eight games unbeaten - including four successive wins - against the Tshwane side.

Wits’ line-up from their 1-0 loss to Stars on January 5: Keet, Hlanti, Gyimah, Klate (Pule 68'), Monare (Gamal 46'), Mkhwanazi, Frosler, Khumalo, Claasen, Myeni (Mhango 86') Majoro.

SuperSport’s line-up from their 0-0 draw with Chiefs on January 6: Pieterse, Nhlapo, Egwuekwe, Gould, Bhasera, Mbule (Smith 79’), Letsholonyane (Phala 65’), Furman, Modiba, Mokoena, Brockie.