Chiefs, Sundowns set for epic battle

Themba Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns challenged by Willard Katsande of Kaizer Chiefs during the Absa Premiership 2017/18 match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs at Loftus Versveld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa on 17 October 2017 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Jan 26, 2018. 15:30

Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns will meet for an epic Absa Premiership battle at FNB Stadium on 27 January 2018, kick-off at 20h15.

Chiefs kept up their excellent recent form by claiming a 2-1 away win over Baroka FC on January 21, despite playing the last portion of the game with 10 men. The Soweto giants have claimed four wins and a draw from their last five league outings.

The Amakhosi have claimed just 10 points from eight home matches this season, though their last two games as hosts have brought victories over Ajax Cape Town and Polokwane City.

Sundowns returned to winning form with a 3-0 home win over Platinum Stars on January 20, with the returning Khama Billiat scoring a brace of goals. The Tshwane side has recorded six wins and three losses from their last nine league matches.

The Brazilians have claimed 22 points from nine away matches this season, the best of any team in the league. Their last match on the road was a 2-1 win at Ajax Cape Town earlier this month.

In head-to-head stats, Chiefs and Sundowns have met in 65 league matches since 1985. The Amakhosi have claimed 27 wins compared to 20 for the Brazilians, while 18 matches have been drawn. The Soweto side has won 17 of their 32 home league matches in the rivalry, suffering just five defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, Chiefs claimed a 2-1 away win thanks to goals from Siyabonga Ngezana and Bernard Parker. The Amakhosi are chasing a hat-trick of league wins against the Brazilians, having also beaten them 2-1 in the latter half of last term.

Chiefs’ line-up from their 2-1 win over Baroka on January 21: Khune, Cardoso, Hadebe, Mathoho, Zulu, Molangoane, Katsande, Maluleka, Tshabalala (Ntshangase 59'), Moon (Castro 69'), Páez (Zuma 63').

Sundowns’ line-up from their 3-0 win over Stars on January 20: Onyango, Madisha, Soumahoro, Nascimento, Langerman, T. Zwane (Brockie 81’), Manyisa, Mabunda, Billat (Ngoma 63’), Vilakazi (Sirino 72’), Tau.