Stars look for return to top form

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Apr 03, 2018. 16:30

Free State Stars will look for a return to top form in the Absa Premiership when they host Kaizer Chiefs at Goble Park Stadium on 4 April 2018, kick-off at 18h00.

Stars saw their five-game unbeaten streak ended on March 17 when they were defeated 1-0 at Chippa United. The Free State side has lost just two of their last 11 league matches.

Ea Lla Koto have claimed 22 points from 12 home matches this season, with their last game as hosts resulting in a goalless draw against AmaZulu in late February.

Chiefs extended their winless run in the league to three matches as they were held 0-0 at home by AmaZulu on March 17. The Soweto side has won just one of their last six league matches, taking seven points from a possible 18 in the sequence.

The Amakhosi have claimed 20 points from 12 away matches this season, though their last game on the road brought a 3-1 defeat at the hands of derby rivals Orlando Pirates in early March.

In head-to-head stats, Chiefs and Stars have met in 36 league matches since 1996. The Amakhosi have claimed 23 wins compared to just three for Ea Lla Koto, while 10 matches have been drawn. The Free State side has claimed just two wins and suffered 10 defeats in their 17 home matches against the Soweto giants.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Moses Mabhida Stadium in November 2017, they played to a 1-1 draw. The Amakhosi have not lost a league match against Ea Lla Koto since the first half of the 2010/11 season.

Stars’ line-up from their 1-0 loss to Chippa on March 17: Sangare, Teyise, Phungwayo, Klaas (Mthembu 58’), Masehe, Makhaula (Cosse 69’), Anas, Tchilimbou, Mbhele, Keita, Jantjie (Dlamini 80’).

Chiefs’ line-up from their 0-0 draw with AmaZulu on March 17: Khune, Cardoso, Mphahlele, Hadebe, Zulu (Ntshangase 64’), Molangoane, Katsande, Meyiwa (Ekstein 49’), Tshabalala, Parker (Moon 51’), Castro.