Pirates look to continue fine form

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Oct 02, 2018. 15:00

Orlando Pirates will look to continue their fine form in the Absa Premiership when they host Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium on 3 October 2018, kick-off at 19h30.

Pirates have picked up 10 points from the last 12 up for grabs, with their most recent outing a 2-1 away win over Baroka FC on September 22 in which Vincent Pule and Thembinkosi Lorch scored their goals.

The Buccaneers, however, have struggled at home this season: they have won just once from four matches and in their last game as hosts they gave away a two-goal lead to be held 2-2 by Cape Town City.

Arrows saw their winless run in the league extended to six matches after they were held 0-0 at home by Chippa United on September 22. The Durban side has not won a game since the opening round of the 2018/19 season.

Abafana Bes’thende have claimed four points from their three away marches this season, though their last result on the road was a 2-1 loss at Highlands Park in mid-September.

In head-to-head stats, Pirates and Arrows have met in 34 league matches since 2000/01. The Buccaneers have claimed 19 wins compared to six for Abafana Bes’thende, while nine matches have been drawn. The Soweto side has won 10 of their 17 home league matches against their Durban counterparts, suffering just two defeats in the process.

Last season Pirates took four points off Arrows, playing out a goalless draw in Soweto in the first half of the campaign, before winning 2-1 in Durban in the return game, thanks to goals from Thembinkosi Lorch and Mthokozisi Dube.

Pirates’ line-up from their 2-1 win over Baroka on September 22: Mpontshane, Matlaba (Thopola 65’), Jele, Nyauza, Maela, Mlambo, Motshwari, Mako, Lorch (Mntambo 75’), Mulenga (Nyatama 84’), Pule.

Arrows’ line-up from their 0-0 draw with Chippa on September 22: Gumede, Sibisi, Mngwengwe, Mzava, Lunga, Venter, Phiri, Molefe (S. Zuke 58’), Sibeko (Jooste 71’), Lamola (Sibiya 58’), Mutizwa.