City aim for return to winning form

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Dec 21, 2018. 09:08

Cape Town City will aim for a return to winning form in the Absa Premiership when they host Bloemfontein Celtic at Cape Town Stadium on 22 December 2018, kick-off at 18h00.

City have claimed just one point from their last two matches when they were held 1-1 at home by Chippa United on December 11 – this sequence followed a run of three straight wins for the Cape side.

The Citizens have claimed 11 points from seven home matches this season, with their last win as hosts arriving in mid-November when they defeated Black Leopards 3-1.

Celtic come into the match on the back of three straight league losses, with their most recent setback a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Highlands Park on December 17.

Phunya Sele Sele have claimed 10 points from six away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 3-0 loss at AmaZulu on December 12.

In head-to-head stats, City and Celtic have met in four league matches since 2016/17. Both the Citizens and Phunya Sele Sele gave claimed one win each, while two games have been drawn. The Cape side has recorded one win and one defeat from their two matches as hosts in the rivalry.

Last season Celtic took four points off City, winning 1-0 in Cape Town in October 2017 before the return game in Bloemfontein ended in a 1-1 draw.

City’s line-up from their 1-1 draw with Chippa on December 11: Leeuwenburgh, Mkhize, Fielies, Edmilson, Seedat, Putsche, Modise (Mthembu 71'), Nodada, Ralani, Norodien (Kateregga 80'), Patosi.

Celtic’s line-up from their 2-1 loss to Highlands on December 17: Dambe, Letlabika, Sam, Rikhotso (Letsoalo 59'), Mabena (Maema 63'), Mashikinya, Masuku (Mangwani 78'), Lingwati, Dlamini, Phalane, Mabaso.