Wits look to continue winning form

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday Aug 16, 2018. 10:14

Bidvest Wits will look to continue their fine form at the start of the Absa Premiership season when they host SuperSport United at Bidvest Stadium on 18 August 2018, kick-off at 20h15.

Wits claimed their third successive win and opened a three-point lead at the top of the log with a 1-0 victory away to Orlando Pirates on August 15. The result was secured by a late own goal from Bucs defender Gladwin Shitolo.

The Clever Boys’ only previous home match brought an impressive 3-0 win over Free State Stars in the first weekend of the month, and they will be full of confidence playing in front of their own fans.

SuperSport claimed their first win of the season when they edged AmaZulu 1-0 at home on August 8, handing coach Kaitano Tembo his first three points as permanent manager of the Tshwane team.

Matsatsantsa’s only away game this campaign saw them beaten 2-0 at Cape Town City on the opening weekend of the month. Tembo will want a stronger showing on the road this time around.

In head-to-head stats, SuperSport and Wits have met in 52 league matches since 1990. The Clever Boys have claimed 18 wins compared to 16 for Matsatsantsa, while 18 matches have been drawn. The Tshwane team has claimed nine home wins in 26 home league matches in the rivalry, suffering nine defeats in the process.

Last season Wits completed a league ‘double’ over SuperSport, winning 2-0 in Johannesburg and 4-1 in Tshwane. It was a third league ‘double’ for the Clever Boys over Matsatsantsa in the past four seasons.

Wits’ line-up from their 1-0 win over Pirates on August 15: Keet, Hlatshwayo, Johannes, Mkhwanazi, Hlanti, Dzvukamanja (Domingo 64’), Alexander (Weidlich 86’), Monare, Hotto, Machupu, Motupa (Murray 58’).

SuperSport’s line-up from their 1-0 win over AmaZulu on August 8: Williams, Kekana, Khumalo, Daniels, Bhasera, Furman, Mokoena, Modiba, Lakay (Lungu 73') Rusike (Gould 88'), Keene (Grobler 83').