Pirates chase hat-trick of wins in 2018

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Jan 19, 2018. 11:30

Orlando Pirates will chase a hat-trick of wins in the Absa Premiership when they host Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium on 20 January 2018, kick-off at 20h15.
Pirates claimed a second successive league win when they defeated Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 away on January 13. The Soweto side’s victory was just their second on the road this season, following on from a 1-0 win at Bloemfontein Celtic in late November.

The Buccaneers have claimed 16 points from nine home matches this season. Their last home match was a 3-1 win over Baroka FC earlier this month, breaking a run of five winless games as hosts.

Polokwane come into the game having suffered a 2-1 away defeat to Kaizer Chiefs on January 13. The Limpopo side had racked up two wins prior to their trip to Soweto, but were unable to complete a hat-trick of victories.

Rise and Shine have claimed 10 points from seven away matches this season. Their last win on the road saw them defeat Chippa United 1-0 in the Eastern Cape midway through December.

In head-to-head stats, City and Pirates have met in nine league matches since 2013/14. The Buccaneers have claimed three wins compared to one for Rise and Shine, while no less than five matches have been drawn. The Soweto side boasts an unbeaten home record in the rivalry, with two wins and two draws from four matches.

When the teams met earlier this season they played out a 2-2 draw in the Limpopo province, with Pirates needing a brace of goals from striker Thamsanqa Gabuza (including a last-gasp equaliser) to claim a share of the spoils. It was a fifth successive draw between the clubs.

Pirates’ line-up from their 3-1 win over Sundowns on January 13: Mabokgwane, Maela, Shitolo, Nyauza, Mobara, Dube, Makola (Munetsi 79'), Nyatama, Memela, Kutumela (Foster 89'), Shonga (Lorch 55').

Polokwane’s line-up from their 2-1 loss to Chiefs on January 13: higova, Semenya, Hlongwane (Ravhulali 89’), Maponyane, Mbonani, Seabi, Ramagalela, Vilakazi (Maluleke 67’), Ndou, Maluleke, Musona (Booi 71’).