Arrows aiming for top-eight finish

by Staff Reporter

Friday May 10, 2019. 12:23

Golden Arrows will go in search of a top-eight finish in the Absa Premiership when they host Bidvest Wits at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on 11 May 2019, kick-off at 15h00.

Arrows saw a five-game unbeaten run come to an end when they lost 2-0 away to league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns on May 7. The Durban side can still end in the top half of the table with a win, but will need results elsewhere to go in their favour.

Abafana Bes’thende have claimed 21 points from 14 home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 2-1 win over Free State Stars in late April.

Wits moved past the 50-point mark and guaranteed that they will finish in the top four with a 3-1 home win over Baroka FC on May 4. The Johannesburg side has taken 10 of the last 12 points available to them.

The Clever Boys have claimed 28 points from 14 away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 1-1 draw with SuperSport United in late April.

In head-to-head stats, Wits and Arrows have met in 31 league matches since 2001/02. The Johannesburg side has claimed 18 wins compared to five for their Durban counterparts, while eight matches have been drawn. Abafana Bes’thende have won have won just three of their 15 home matches in the rivalry, suffering eight defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Bidvest Stadium in December 2018, they played out a 2-2 draw: Simon Murray and Gift Motupa netted for Wits, while Arrows’ goals came from Seth Parunsath and Wayde Jooste.

Arrows’ line-up from their 2-0 loss to Sundowns on May 7: Mbaeva, Mzava, Bilankulu (Dube 84'), Lunga, Sibisi, Phiri, Venter, Mathenjwa, Matloga (Sabelo 78'), Motebejane (Lamola 46'), Mutizwa.

Wits’ line-up from their 3-1 win over Baroka on May 4: Goss, Mere, Mkhwanazi, Johannes, Hlanti, Monare, Alexander, Hotto, Pelembe (Gyimah 72’), Dzvukamanja (Murray 78’), Majoro (Keet 45’).