Survival on the line for Baroka, Maritzburg

by BackPageTXT

Friday May 10, 2019. 13:22

Absa Premiership survival will be foremost on the minds of both Baroka FC and Maritzburg United when they face off at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on 11 May 2019, kick-off at 15h00.

Baroka dropped to just two points above the bottom of the log after suffering a 3-1 loss away to Bidvest Wits on May 4. In fact, just two points covers the bottom five teams.

Bakgaga have claimed just 12 points from 14 home matches this season, though their last result as hosts was a 1-0 win over AmaZulu in late April.

Maritzburg claimed a second successive win and kept alive their hopes of avoiding direct relegation with a 3-1 home victory over SuperSport United on May 4. It was the first time the KwaZulu-Natal side has picked up back-to-back wins this season.

The Team of Choice has claimed just eight points from 14 away matches this season, though their last result on the road was a 2-1 win at Black Leopards in late April.

In head-to-head stats, Maritzburg and Baroka have met in five league matches since 2016/17. The Team of Choice has claimed four wins compared to one for Bakgaga. The Limpopo’s side two previous home matches in the rivalry have both ended in defeats.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Harry Gwala Stadium in December 2018, Baroka claimed a 1-0 away win thanks to a goal on the stroke of half-time from Jemondre Dickens.

Baroka’s line-up from their 3-1 loss to Wits on May 4: Chipezeze, Gebhardt, Sibiya, Ntswane, Semenya, Patjie, Makume, Madigoe (Chivaviro 53’), Makgaka, Mdantsane, Dickens (Selemela 74’).

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 3-1 win over SuperSport on May 4: Ofori, Xulu, Allie, Ndlovu, Onyango (De Reuck 53'), Makaringe, Timm, Zakri, Mokate (Moseamedi 67'), Kateregga (Kunene 71'), Shandu.