Stars host relegation-threatened Polokwane

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Apr 27, 2018. 09:32

Free State Stars will welcome relegation-threatened Polokwane City for an Absa Premiership clash at Goble Park Stadium on 28 April 2018, kick-off at 15h00.

Stars have gone five league matches without a win after they were beaten 3-2 at SuperSport United on April 25. The Free State side’s last win was away to Platinum Stars in early March.

Ea Lla Koto have claimed 23 points from 14 home matches this season, though their last game as hosts brought a 1-1 draw against Bloemfontein Celtic in mid-April.

Polokwane played to a second successive draw when they were held 1-1 at home by Cape Town City on April 25. The result left the Limpopo side just one point above the relegation playoff zone.

Rise and Shine have claimed just 17 points from 14 away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 1-1 draw at Bidvest Wits earlier in the month.

In head-to-head stats, Polokwane and Stars have met in nine league matches since 2013/14. Ea Lla Koto have claimed four wins compared to three for Rise and Shine, while two games have ended in draws. The Free State side has won just one of its four home matches in the rivalry, suffering two defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, in Polokwane in September 2017, Stars claimed a 3-2 away win thank to a brace from Mohammed Anas and a strike by captain Paulus Masehe. It was the fifth away victory in just nine games in this rivalry.

Stars’ line-up from their 3-2 loss to SuperSport on April 25: Sangare, Mobbie, Phungwayo, Mahamutsa, Masehe, Keita, Dlamini, Vilakazi, Jantjie (Mashego 79’), Tchilimbou (Maphakisa 90’), Mthembu (Anas 83’).

Polokwane’s line-up from their 1-1 draw with City on April 25: Ndlovu, Ravhuhali, Tshilo, Semenya, Mbonani, Seabi, J. Maluleke, Booi, Manaka, Musona (Tlolane 77’), Ramagalela.