Stars desperate to break winless streak

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Feb 20, 2018. 12:13

Platinum Stars will be desperate to break their drought in the Absa Premiership when they host SuperSport United at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on 20 February 2018, kick-off at 19h30.

Stars have gone five league matches without a win, though they at least broke their losing streak by playing to a 3-3 draw away to Chippa United on February 4. The Rustenburg side came from behind three times in their trip to the Eastern Cape to pick up a much-needed away point.

Dikwena have claimed just five points from nine home matches this season, with their last three games as hosts all ending in defeats.

SuperSport avoided a third successive loss in the league and ended a four-game winless streak by defeating Bloemfontein Celtic 4-2 at home on February 3. The Tshwane team has still managed just two wins from their last 14 league matches, having won four of their first six.

Matsatsantsa have claimed just eight points from nine away matches this season, with their last game on the road a 2-0 loss at AmaZulu last month.

In head-to-head stats, SuperSport and Stars have met in 29 league matches since 2003/04. The Tshwane team has claimed 13 wins compared to nine for their Rustenburg counterparts, while seven matches have been drawn. Dikwena have won just three of their 14 home matches in the rivalry, suffering eight defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, SuperSport claimed a 2-0 home win back in September last year.It was just a second victory in their last six league matches against Stars.

Stars’ line-up from their 3-3 draw with Chippa on February 4: Mzimela, Mere, Sithole, Mthethwa, Gcaba, Norodien, Masalesa, Mekoa, Rambuwane (Phiri 66’), Ng’ambi (Ntuli 58’), Koapeng (Mkhabela 90+2’).

SuperSport’s line-up from their 4-2 win over Celtic on February 3: Pieterse, Kekana, Daniels, Farmer, Bhasera, Furman, Letsholonyane, Phala (Nkhatha 67’), Modiba, Ngele (Mokoena 62’), Rusike (Mbule 77’).