Platinum Stars v Polokwane City

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Apr 06, 2018. 12:34

Platinum Stars will be desperate for an Absa Premiership victory when they host Polokwane City at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on 7 April 2018, kick-off at 20h15.

Stars ended a three-match losing streak, but extended their winless run to 10 matches – by drawing 0-0 at home to Baroka FC on April 4. The sequence of results have brought the Rustenburg side just three points from a possible 30.

Dikwena have claimed just seven points from 12 home matches this season, with their last game as hosts ending in a 2-1 loss against Free State Stars in early March.

Polokwane claimed a second win from their last three league matches when they defeated SuperSport United 1-0 at home on April 4. Striker Rodney Ramagalela continued his great form this season by netting his 11th league goal.

Rise and Shine have claimed 16 points from 12 away matches this season, with their last game on the road bringing a 2-1 loss at Maritzburg United in mid-March.

In head-to-head stats, Polokwane and Stars have met in nine league matches since 2013/14. Rise and Shine have claimed four wins, as have Dikwena, while one match has been drawn. The Rustenburg side has won three of their four home matches in the rivalry, suffering one defeat in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, Stars claimed a 1-0 away win in early December thanks to a goal from Bongi Ntuli. It was their first win on the road in the 2017/18 campaign and the first time they had beaten City in Polokwane.

Stars’ line-up from their 0-0 draw with Baroka on April 4: Mzimela, Mpeta, Sithole, Mlilo, Mere, Mekoa, Msomi (Gome 77’), Rambuwane (Ng’ambi 61’), Phiri, Norodien (Nyanda 68’), Ntuli.

Polokwane’s line-up from their 1-0 win over SuperSport on April 4: Chigova, Ravhuhali, Manaka, Tshilo, Semenya, Seabi, Phiri, J Maluleke, Ramagalela, Musona (Tlolane 82’), Sulumba (Ndou 60’).