Leopards look to end AmaZulu’s hot streak

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Dec 14, 2018. 06:49

Black Leopards will look to end AmaZulu’s hot streak in the Absa Premiership when the teams meet at Thohoyandou Stadium on 15 December 2018, kick-off at 15h30.

Leopards saw their winless run in the league extended to six matches after they held Maritzburg United 1-1 away from home on December 12. The Limpopo side last won in the league in early October.

Lidoda Duvha have claimed seven points from six home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 1-0 loss at the hands of Bidvest Wits earlier this month.

AmaZulu racked up a third successive league win when they crushed high-flying Bloemfontein Celtic 3-0 at home on December 12. Emiliano Tade scored a brace to continue his excellent form in attack for the Durban side.

Usuthu have claimed six points from as many away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 1-0 win over Chippa United in late November.

In head-to-head stats, Leopards and AmaZulu have met in 12 top-flight league matches since 2001/02. Usuthu have claimed six wins compared to five for Lidoda Duvha, while just one match has been drawn. The Limpopo side has claimed three wins from six matches as hosts in the rivalry, suffering two defeats in the process.

The teams last met in the 2013/13 season, with the match in Limpopo ending in a 1-1 draw before the return game in Durban saw AmaZulu rack up a 4-0 win. Usuthu have scored nine goals from their last three top-flight matches against Lidoda Duvha.

Leopards’ line-up from their 1-1 draw with Maritzburg on December 12: Muleka, Munyai, Masia, Munganga, Zulu, Tshepe (Kapinga 84’), Mudau (Nange 86’), Masalesa, Hlongwane (Mokoena 90’), Bereng, Musonda.

AmaZulu’s line-up from their 3-0 win over Celtic on December 12: Mbatha, M.Gumede, Mabiliso (P.Gumede 77'), Van Heerden, Nyongo, Ncube, Vilakazi, Morton, Karuru (Sithebe 62'), Tade (Nomvethe 86'), Ntuli.