City, Sundowns set for key title clash

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Feb 02, 2018. 09:30

Cape Town City and Mamelodi Sundowns will meet for a key clash in regards to the Absa Premiership title, set for Athlone Stadium on 2 February 2018, kick-off at 20h00.

City played to their fourth draw of the season when they were held 1-1 t Bloemfontein Celtic on January 27. The Cape side has won four of their last six league matches and picked up 13 points from a possible 18 in the sequence.

The Citizens have claimed 16 points from nine home matches this season, with their last two games as hosts producing 1-0 wins over both AmaZulu and Ajax Cape Town.

Sundowns played to just their second draw of the season when they were held 0-0 at Kaizer Chiefs on January 27. The Tshwane side has had a mixed run of results in recent times, recording two wins, one draw and two losses since the turn of the year.

The Brazilians have claimed 23 points from 10 away matches this season, with their last three games on the road bringing them a loss (2-3 at Polokwane City), a win (2-1 at Cape Town City) and a draw (0-0 at Chiefs).

In head-to-head stats, City and Sundowns have met in three league matches since the start of last season, with the Citizens emerging victorious on each occasion. The teams’ most recent meeting was in December last year, with the Cape side claiming a 1-0 win in Tshwane thanks to a goal from Nana Akosah-Bempah.

City’s line-up from their 1-1 draw with Celtic on January 28: Stephens, Mkhize, Johannes, Fielies, Seedat, Putsche, Nodada, Modise (Moseamedi 90’), Lakay, Patosi (Masina 66’), Nana (Ralani 80’).

Sundowns’ line-up from their 0-0 draw with Chiefs on January 27: Onyango, Madisha, Nascimento, Soumahoro, Langerman, Manyisa, Kekana, Mabunda, Billiat (Sirino 77’), Vilakazi (Brockie 57’), Tau.