Wits look for return to winning form

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday Jan 31, 2019. 11:57

Bidvest Wits will look for a return to winning form in the Absa Premiership when they host Maritzburg United at Bidvest Stadium on 1 February 2019, kick-off at 20h00.

Wits have failed to win their last two league matches, following a 2-0 loss at home to Kaizer Chiefs with a thrilling 3-3 draw away to Polokwane City on January 20.

The Clever Boys have claimed 13 points from nine home matches this season, with defeats at the hands of Chiefs, SuperSport United, Polokwane and Bloemfontein Celtic.

Maritzburg suffered a sixth successive defeat – and saw their winless run in the league extended to 13 matches – with a 2-0 loss at Chippa United on January 19. The KwaZulu-Natal side last won a match in September 2018.

The Team of Choice has claimed five points from nine away matches this season. That sequence has seen them score just two goals on the road through the entire campaign thus far.

In head-to-head stats, Maritzburg and Wits have met in 23 league matches since 2006/07. The Clever Boys have claimed 11 wins compared to just three for the Team of Choice, while nine matches have been drawn. The Johannesburg team has claimed seven wins and suffered two defeats in their 11 home matches in the rivalry.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Harry Gwala Stadium in mid-September 2018, they played out a goalless stalemate. The Clever Boys will be chasing a fifth straight home win over the Team of Choice.

Wits’ line-up from their 3-3 draw with Polokwane on January 20: Keet, Mere, Hlatshwayo, Nonyane, Hlanti, Alexander, Monare (Domingo 87’), Pelembe, Motupa (Claasen 80’), Hotto, Majoro.

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 2-0 loss to Chippa on January 19: Ofori, De Reuck, Xulu, Onyango, Kunene, Matima (Shandu 61'), Makaringe, Matsi, Makgalwa (Moseamedi 26'), Figueredo (Atouba 63'), Kutumela.