Stars look to break winless run

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Dec 10, 2018. 11:00

Free State Stars will look to break their winless run in the Absa Premiership when they host Orlando Pirates at Goble Park on 11 December 2018, kick-off at 19h30.

Stars have gone four league matches without a win (and suffered back-to-back defeats) after they went down 1-0 at home to SuperSport United on November 10. The Free State side last won at home to Bloemfontein Celtic in early October.

Ea Lla Koto have claimed 11 points from seven home matches this season. Aside from Celtic, they have also beaten Maritzburg United and Highlands Park at their home ground in Bethlehem.

Pirates have put together a 10-game unbeaten run in the league, but they played to a sixth draw of the season when they were held 0-0 at home by Maritzburg United on December 1.

The Buccaneers have claimed 14 points from seven away matches this season, with their last result on the road a goalless draw at Mamelodi Sundowns in early November.

In head-to-head stats, Stars and Pirates have met in 57 league matches since 1986. The Buccaneers have claimed 26 wins compared to nine for Ea Lla Koto, while 22 matches have been drawn. The Free State club has won seven of their 28 home league matches in the rivalry, suffering nine defeats in the process.

Last season the teams each claimed one victory over the other: Stars won 2-1 at home in December 2017, while Pirates claimed revenge by the same score line in the return game on the final day of the league campaign in May 2018.

Stars’ line-up from their 1-0 loss to SuperSport on November 10: Sangare, Tema, Keita, Mahamutsa, Phungwayo, Mbhele, Gandze (Jantjie 62’), Maruping, Dlamini (Masina 57’), Tchilimbou, Rodgers (Moseamedi 65’).

Pirates’ line-up from their 0-0 draw with Maritzburg on December 1: Mpontshane, Jele, Munetsi, Mbekile (Mako 85’), Maela, Nyatama, Makola, Pule, Lorch, Shonga (Kutumela 73’), Mulenga (Qalinge 84’).