Leopards look to bounce back against Wits

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Nov 30, 2018. 09:39

Black Leopards will hope for a strong performance when they host Absa Premiership title hopefuls Bidvest Wits at Thohoyandou Stadium on 1 December 2018, kick-off at 20h15.

Leopards have suffered two successive defeats in the league coming into this clash, with the Limpopo club beaten 3-1 at Cape Town City in their last outing.

Lidoda Duvha have claimed seven points from five home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 1-1 draw with Free State Stars in late October.

Wits suffered their third defeat of the season when they were beaten 2-1 at home by Bloemfontein Celtic on November 10. The Johannesburg side has taken just eight points from the last 18 up for grabs.

The Clever Boys are unbeaten away from home this season, taking 11 points from five matches. Their last result on the road was a 1-1 draw at Mamelodi Sundowns in early October.

In head-to-head stats, Leopards and Wits have met in 16 league matches since 2000/01. The Clever Boys have claimed eight wins compared to four for Lidoda Duvha, while four games have been drawn. The Limpopo side has claimed three wins from eight home matches in the rivalry, suffering three defeats in the process.

The teams last met in the top flight league in the 2012/13 season, drawing 2-2 in Johannesburg in the first half of the campaign, before the return game saw Wits claim a 2-0 win in the Limpopo province.

Leopards’ line-up from their 3-1 loss to City on November 11: K. Ndlovu, Munyai, Munganga, Katjiukua, Zulu, Tshepe (Mahangawahaya 71’), Nene, T. Mokoena (Mhlongo 77’), Hlongwane, Musonda, Kapinga.

Wits’ line-up from their 1-0 loss to Celtic on November 10: Keet, Mere, Johannes, Mkhwanazi, Hlanti, Alexander, Monare, Domingo, Hotto (Motupa 46’), Dzvukamanja (Weidlich 80’), Murray (Mahcupu 73’).