Two Uniteds looking to end dry spells

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Dec 14, 2018. 06:46

Both SuperSport United and Maritzburg United will be looking to end dry spells in the Absa Premiership when they meet at the Mbombela Stadium on 15 December 2018, kick-off at 18h00.

SuperSport suffered a second successive league loss when they went down 1-0 away to Kaizer Chiefs (though at the same Mbombela Stadium) on December 12. The Tshwane side has won just one of their last seven league matches.

Matsatsantsa have claimed 10 points from five home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 2-1 loss at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns earlier this month.

Maritzburg played to a fourth successive draw (and an eighth overall in the league this season, from just 12 matches) when they were held 1-1 at home by Black Leopards on December 12.

The Team of Choice has claimed five points from as many away matches this season, with their last result on the road a goalless draw at Orlando Pirates earlier this month.

In head-to-head stats, Maritzburg and SuperSport have met in 24 league matches since 2005/06. Matsatsantsa have claimed 13 wins compared to just two for the Team of Choice, while nine matches have been drawn. The Tshwane club has won six of their 12 home league matches in the rivalry, suffering two defeats in the process.

Last season SuperSport took four points off Maritzburg in the teams’ two league meetings, with Matsatsantsa winning 1-0 in KwaZulu-Natal while the return game ended in a goalless stalemate. The Tshwane side is unbeaten in their last seven league matches against Maritzburg.

SuperSport’s line-up from their 1-0 loss to Chiefs on December 12: Williams, Kekana, Gould, Daniels, Bhasera, Ntshangase, Mokoena (Lungu 76'), Mbule (Keene 60'), Modiba, Lakay (Phala 46'), Rusike.

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 1-1 draw with Leopards on December 12: Ofori, Kunene (Figueredo 82’), Xulu, Onyango, De Reuck, Mekoa, Makaringe, Zakri (Makgalwa 46’), Shandu (Mokate 46’), Ndlovu, Fileccia.