Highlands look to continue solid league form

Denzil Haoseb of Highlands Park challenged by Thembinkosi Lorch of Orlando Pirates during the Absa Premiership 2018/19 match between Orlando Pirates and Highlands Park at the Orlando Stadium, Soweto on 04 August 2018 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Jan 05, 2019. 10:00

Highlands Park will look to continue their solid form in the Absa Premiership when they host Orlando Pirates at Makhulong Stadium on 5 January 2019, kick-off at 20h15.

Highlands recorded their eighth draw of the season when they were held 1-1 at home by SuperSport United on December 23. The Tembisa-based side has taken eight points from the last 12 available.

The Lions of the North have claimed 12 points from seven home matches this season. Only AmaZulu have beaten them on home soil in the 2018/19 season.

Pirates extended their unbeaten run in the league to 11 matches with a 3-1 away win over Free State Stars on December 11. Goals from Thembinkosi Lorch, Justin Shonga and Linda Mntambo secured the three points for the Soweto side.

The Buccaneers have claimed 17 points from eight away matches this season. This will be their fourth away match in a sequence of five league outings.

Highlands and Pirates have met in three league matches since 2016/17. All three have ended in draws, including a 1-1 tie between the teams at Orlando Stadium on the first weekend of the current season.

Highlands’ line-up from their 1-1 draw with SuperSport on December 23: Kapini, Sibande, Mokoena, Versuur, Motsepe (Rae 46’), Mbatha, Mbunjana (Mahlangu 46’), Msimango, Mvala, Shalulile, Sekola (Mogaila 70’).

Pirates’ line-up from their 3-1 win over Stars on December 11: Mpontshane, Mobara, Jele, da Silva, Maela, Mntambo, Makola, Lorch (Mbekile 87’), Pule (Nyatama 65’), Mulenga, Shonga (Mako 80’).