Stars look to keep up winning form

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Jan 12, 2018. 06:11

Free State Stars will look to keep up their winning run in the Absa Premiership when they host Cape Town City at Goble Park Stadium on 13 January 2018, kick-off at 18h00.

Stars claimed a third successive league win - and a fourth from their last five matches - when they beat Bidvest Wits 1-0 away from home on January 5. Defender Thamsanqa Teyise was the unlikely match winner for the Free State side.

Ea Lla Koto have claimed a creditable 15 points from eight home matches this season. Since losing 2-1 against Mamelodi Sundowns in September, Stars have put together a six-match unbeaten run at home and claimed 14 points from a possible 18.

City picked up in 2018 where they left off last year by defeating Platinum Stars 1-0 in Rustenburg on January 6. The result means the Cape Town side have also claimed three successive wins and they continue to be ‘dark horses’ for the league title.

The Citizens have claimed 14 points from eight away matches this season, and their last two victories at Mamelodi Sundowns and Dikwena prove that they are capable of coming inland and picking up impressive victories.

In head-to-head stats, Stars and City have met in three league matches since 2016/17. All three encounters have produced a 1-0 home win, including the teams’ clash in Cape Town earlier this season which saw Taariq Fielies score the decisive goal.

Stars’ line-up from their 1-0 win over Wits on January 5: Sangare, Tchilimbou (Dlamini 79'), Anas (Manqele 86'), Mobbie, Masehe, Mashego, Keita, Makhaula (Mahamutsa 77'), Teyise, Jantjie, Maphakisa.

City’s line-up from their 1-0 win over Platinum Stars on January 6: Stephens, Mkhize, Fielies, Johannes, Edmilson, Modise, Putsche, Nodada, Masina (Ralani 67’), Lakay (Kobola 86’), Akosah-Bempah (Obinna 60’).