Ajax desperate for home victory

Thulani Hlatshwayo of Bidvest Wits

Tuesday Apr 10, 2018. 13:40

Ajax Cape Town will be desperate for a home victory in the Absa Premiership when they host Bidvest Wits at Athlone Stadium on 11 April 2018, kick-off at 19h30.

Ajax suffered a third loss from their last four league matches to remain in relegation danger, as they were beaten 2-1 at AmaZulu on April 3. It was their first competitive encounter in more than a month.

The Urban Warriors have claimed 21 points from 12 home matches this season and have won their last three games as hosts in succession, defeating Platinum Stars, Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United.

Wits stretched their unbeaten streak in the league to nine matches with a 2-1 home win over Maritzburg United on April 3. The sequence has brought the Johannesburg side a total of 21 points from a possible 27.

The Clever Boys have claimed 17 points from 11 away matches this season and have won their last three on the road. In fact, Wits are unbeaten in away games since a loss at Bloemfontein Celtic in October last year.

In head-to-head stats, Wits and Ajax have met in 35 league matches since 1999/2000. The Clever Boys have claimed 13 wins compared to 11 for the Urban Warriors, while 11 matches have ended in draws. The Cape side has won eight of their 17 home league matches against theirJohannesburg counterparts, suffering five defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, they played to a goalless draw in Johannesburg in early December 2017. It was the first draw between the teams in a league meeting since the first half of the 2012/13 season.

Ajax’s line-up from their 2-1 loss to AmaZulu on April 3: n: February, Lebusa, Booysen, Zwane, Nel, Margeman, Kabwe, Mosadi (Morris 54'), Losper (Mdabuka 43'), Lakay, Zakri (Julies 86').

Wits’ line-up from their 2-1 win over Maritzburg on April 3: Keet, Hlatshwayo, Hlanti, Mkhwanazi, Ritchie (Motshwari 82'), Frosler, Scott, Alexander, Pelembe, Keene (Phiri 56'), Majoro (Rodgers 66').