Pirates look to extend strong run

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Nov 30, 2018. 14:00

Orlando Pirates will look to extend their strong run of form in the Absa Premiership when they host Maritzburg United at Orlando Stadium on 1 December 2018, kick-off at 20h15 CAT.

Pirates’ unbeaten run in the league was stretched to nine matches when they held champions Mamelodi Sundowns to a goalless away draw on November 10. The Soweto side has taken 19 points from a possible 27 in the sequence.

The Buccaneers have claimed nine points from six home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 2-1 victory over cross-town rivals Kaizer Chiefs in late October.

Maritzburg have gone five league matches without a win after they were held 0-0 at home by Chippa United on November 27. The KwaZulu-Natal club’s only win this term came at Bloemfontein Celtic in September.

The Team of Choice has claimed four points from as many away matches this season, with their last result on the road a loss at Polokwane City in late October.

In head-to-head stats, Maritzburg and Pirates have met in 24 league matches since 2005/06. The Buccaneers have claimed 12 wins compared to six for the Team of Choice, while six matches have been drawn. The Soweto side has won seven of their 12 home league matches against their Pietermaritzburg counterparts, suffering two defeats in the process.

Pirates took four points off United in the teams’ two league meetings last season, drawing 0-0 in Pietermaritzburg before claiming a 2-1 win in the return in Soweto. Four of the teams’ last seven league meetings have ended in draws.

Pirates’ line-up from their 0-0 draw with Sundowns on November 10: Mpontshane, Jele, Munetsi, Mbekile, Maela, Motshwari, Mlambo, Pule (Qalinge 78’), Lorch, Kutumela (Mulenga 66’), Shonga (Mntambo 86’).

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 0-0 draw with Chippa on November 27: Ofori, De Reuck, Xulu, Onyango, Figueredo (Atouba 54’), Makaringe, Ndlovu, Kunene, Mokate (Fileccia 73’), Zakri, Mekoa (Shandu 61’).