Arrows take aim at in-form Wits

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Feb 16, 2018. 07:49

Golden Arrows will welcome an in-form Bidvest Wits to Princess Magogo Stadium for an Absa Premiership clash on 17 February 2018, kick-off at 15h30.

Arrows suffered their fifth defeat of the season - and extended their winless run to three league matches - with a 2-1 loss at derby rivals AmaZulu on February 3 .The Durban side has won just one of their last 15 league matches, picking up 12 points from a possible 45 in the sequence.

Abafana Bes’thende have claimed just 12 points from nine home matches this season, though they are unbeaten in their last three games as hosts.

Wits extended their unbeaten run to five league matches when they held Kaizer Chiefs 1-1 at home on February 3. The Johannesburg side has picked up 11 points from the last 15 up for grabs.

The Clever Boys have claimed just 11 points from nine away matches this season, though their last game on the road brought them an emphatic 4-1 victory at SuperSport United at the end of last month.

In head-to-head stats, Wits and Arrows have met in 29 league matches since 2001/02. The Johannesburg side has claimed 17 wins compared to five for their Durban counterparts, while seven matches have been drawn. Abafana Bes’thende have won just three of their 14 home matches in the rivalry, suffering seven defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, Arrows claimed a 3-1 win in Johannesburg. The result broke a 15-game unbeaten run for the Clever Boys against Abafana Bes’thende which stretched back to the 2008/09 season.

Arrows’ line-up from their 2-1 loss to AmaZulu on February 3: Gumede, Buthelezi, Shongwe (Lamola 67'), Mahachi, Mzava, Nonyane, Venter, Ndwandwe (Magubane 63'), Mutizwa, Zuke, Mngwengwe.

Wits’ line-up from their 1-1 draw with Chiefs on February 3: Keet, Hlanti, Khumalo, Mkhwanazi, Hlatswhayo, Claasen, Keene (Rodgers 86’), Myeni, Gyimah, Majoro (Mhango 66’), Weidlich (Monare 39’).