Siyethemba Sithebe of AmaZulu FC chases Andile Jali of Mamelodi Sundowns FC during the Absa Premiership 2018/19 game between AmaZulu and Mamelodi Sundowns at King Zwelentini Stadium on 15 September 2018 © Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix
by
Staff Reporter
Monday Nov 05, 2018. 14:00
Mamelodi Sundowns will look to continue their rise up the Absa Premiership table when they host Free State Stars at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on 7 November 2018, kick-off at 19h30.
Sundowns returned to winning form (after back-to-back draws in early October) when they edged Chippa United 1-0 away from home on October 27. The Tshwane side remains unbeaten in the league this season.
The Brazilians, however, have yet to win as hosts this season: all three of their home games have ended in draws, being held by Kaizer Chiefs, Highlands Park and Bidvest Wits.
Stars played to a second successive come-from-behind 1-1 draw when they held Black Leopards in Thohoyandou on October 28.
Ea Lla Koto have claimed just two points from six matches on the road this season – though those two points have arrived in their last two league games.
In head-to-head stats, Stars and Sundowns have met in 57 league matches since 1986. The Tshwane side has claimed 29 wins compared to 10 for their Free State rivals, while 18 matches have ended in draws. The Brazilians have won 17 of 29 home matches in the rivalry, suffering just three defeats in the process.
Last season ‘Downs took four points off Stars in the teams’ two league matches, winning 2-1 in the Free State in the first half of the season, before playing out a 1-1 draw in the return game in Tshwane. The Brazilians are unbeaten in their last 14 league games against Ea Lla Koto.
Sundowns’ line-up from their 1-0 win over Chippa on October 27: Onyango, Ngcongca, Lebusa, Nascimento, Lakay, Kekana, Jali, Zwane, Maboe (Mabunda 79’), Sirino (Brockie 84’), Mahlambi (Ali Meza 64’).
Stars’ line-up from their 1-1 draw with Leopards on October 28: Sangare, Mobbie, Keita, Tema, Phungwayo, Hlubi (Masina 46'), Maruping, Gandze, Jantjie, Rodgers, Moseamedi (Bhengu 57').
COMMENTS
Sign in to comment