Wits, Pirates set for key clash

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Apr 05, 2019. 11:00

Absa Premiership title hopefuls Bidvest Wits and Orlando Pirates will meet for a key clash at the Bidvest Stadium on 6 April 2019, kick-off at 15h00.

Wits broke a four-game winless streak by claiming an emphatic 4-2 away victory over Bloemfontein Celtic on March 15. Yet the Johannesburg side has still taken just eight of the last 24 points up for grabs.

The Clever Boys have claimed 17 points from 12 home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 3-2 loss at the hands of Cape Town City in early March.

Pirates played to their 11th draw of the season when they were held 0-0 at home by log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns on April 1. The result saw the Soweto side climb above Wits and into second spot on the log.

The Buccaneers have claimed 22 points from 12 away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 1-0 win at Golden Arrows in early March.

In head-to-head stats, Wits and Pirates have met in 66 league matches since 1985. The Buccaneers have claimed 26 wins to the Clever Boys’ 19, while 21 matches have been drawn. The University-based side has claimed 11 wins and suffered 11 defeats from 33 turns as hosts in this rivalry.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Orlando Stadium in August 2018, Wits claimed a 1-0 away win thanks to an own goal from defender Gladwin Shitolo. The Clever Boys have won seven of their last eight league matches against Pirates.

Wits’ line-up from their 4-2 win over Celtic on March 15: Keet, Mere (Monare 69'0, Mkhwanazi, Nonyane, Hlanti, Scott, Alexander, Ritchie (Hotto 59'), Mhango, Dzvukamanja, Majoro (Motupa 61').

Pirates’ line-up from their 0-0 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns on April 1: Sandilands (Mpontshane 67’), Dube, Jele, Ndengane, Maela, Lorch, Motshwari, Nyatama, Memela (Mahachi 77’), Mulenga, Shonga (Gabuza 77’).