Highlands look to continue strong form

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Apr 15, 2019. 01:31

Highlands Park will look to continue their strong form in the Absa Premiership when they host Free State Stars at Makhulong Stadium on 17 April 2019, kick-off at 19h30.

Highlands have picked up seven points from the last nine up for grabs and their last outing brought a 1-0 home win over Maritzburg United on April 13, thanks to a goal from Peter Shalulile.

The Lions of the North have claimed 22 points from their 12 home matches this season. Only AmaZulu and Mamelodi Sundowns have claimed away victories at Makhulong Stadium in 2018/19.

Stars suffered their 13th league defeat of the season when they were beaten 2-1 by top-of-the-log Orlando Pirates in Soweto on April 13. It was the team’s first match since the tragic death of winger Sinethemba Jantjie.

Ea Lla Koto have claimed just eight points from 12 away matches this season. They have claimed just two wins on the road, at Maritzburg United and Bloemfontein Celtic in January and February respectively.

In head-to-head stats, Highlands and Stars have met in three top-flight league matches since 2016/17 and they have a dead-even record: one win apiece, one draw and three goals scored each. The Makhulong-based side’s only previous home game against Ea Lla Koto was a 2-2 draw in October 2016.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Goble Park in September 2018, Stars claimed a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Tshepo Tema.

Highlands’ line-up from their 1-0 win over Maritzburg on April 13: Heugh, Fransman, Williams (Mvala 46'), Mokoena, Motsepe, Rae, Shongwe (Haoseb 78'), Mahlangu, Nyembe, Motlafi (Mogaila 58'), Shalulile.

Stars’ line-up from their 2-1 loss to Pirates on April 13: Mbambo, Mobbie, Mahamutsa, Mathumo, Mbhele, Kizza (Hlubi 59’), Makhaula (Dlamini 68’), Masehe, Mokhuoane, Tchilimbou (Khabane 78’), Rodgers.