SuperSport, Sundowns set for Tshwane derby

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Nov 30, 2018. 16:00

The Absa Premiership will witness the latest instalment of the Tshwane derby when SuperSport United host Mamelodi Sundowns at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on 2 December 2018, kick-off at 15h30.

SuperSport are unbeaten in their last six league matches, though four of those games have been drawn – including their most recent outing, a 0-0 stalemate away to high-flying Bloemfontein Celtic on November 28.

Matsatsantsa have claimed 10 points from a possible 12 at home this season. Only Golden Arrows have come away from a match hosted by United without suffering a defeat (the teams drew 1-1 in late October).

Sundowns played to their sixth draw of the season when they were held 0-0 at home by title rivals Orlando Pirates on November 10. The Tshwane side remain the only unbeaten team in the league thus far in 2018/19.

The Brazilians have claimed 11 points from five away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 1-0 win at Chippa United in late October.

In head-to-head terms, United and Sundowns have clashed in 54 league matches since 1990. The Brazilians have dominated the rivalry, claiming 28 wins compared to 14 for Matsatsantsa, while 12 games have been drawn. The team in blue have managed five wins from 27 home matches in the rivalry, suffering 16 defeats in the process.

Last season the Brazilians took four points off their rivals, winning 2-0 away (with goals from Hlompho Kekana and Themba Zwane) and drawing 1-1 at home (Percy Tau cancelled out Thabo Mnyamane’s opener) to extend their unbeaten run in the rivalry to 10 league matches.

SuperSport’s line-up from their 0-0 draw with Celtic on November 28: Williams, Kekana, Khumalo, Fleurs, Boateng, Lakay (Mahlatsi 74’), Mokoena (Letsholonyane 60’), Ntshangase, Modiba, Rusike, Keene.

Sundowns’ line-up from their 0-0 draw with Pirates on November 10: Onyango, Morena, Nacimento, Lebusa, Langerman, Jali (Mabunda 14’), Kekana, Maboe (Zwane 85’), Lakay, Sirino, Brockie (Mahlambi 61’).