Celtic look to outsmart the Clever Boys

Siphelele Luthuli of Bloemfontein Celtic challenged by Terrence Dzvukamanja of Bidvest Wits

Wednesday Aug 26, 2020. 18:00

Bloemfontein Celtic will chase three Absa Premiership points when they host Bidvest Wits at Tuks Stadium on Thursday 27 August 2020, kick-off at 15h30.

Celtic extended their unbeaten run in the league to three matches, all since the restart, with a 2-2 draw away to AmaZulu on August 24. Phunya Sele Sele have claimed 22 points from 12 home matches so far this season.

Wits have gone seven league matches unbeaten after playing to a fourth draw in their last five outings with a 0-0 stalemate at Maritzburg United on August 24. The Clever Boys have claimed 23 points from 13 matches on the road in the 2019/20 campaign.

In head-to-head stats, Celtic and Wits have met in 60 league matches since 1985. The Clever Boys have claimed 26 wins compared to 19 for Phunya Sele Sele, while 15 matches have been drawn. The Bloemfontein side has claimed 13 wins from 29 home matches in the rivalry, suffering seven defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, at the Bidvest Stadium in January 2020, Wits claimed a 3-2 home win thanks to goals from Phathutshedzo Nange, Haashim Domingo and Gift Motupa. The teams’ last two league meetings have produced 11 goals.

Celtic’s line-up from their 2-2 draw with AmaZulu on August 24: Chaine, Letlabika, Mahashe, Letsoalo (Maema 61′), Mabena, Chabalala, Sera (Potsane 61′), Fikizolo, Phalane (Luthuli 73′), Baloyi, Ngobeni (Masuku 85′).

Wits’ line-up from their 0-0 draw with Maritzburg on August 24: Goss, Ritchie, Gordinho, Hlatshwayo, Macheke. Monare (Mathebula 57′), Nange, Domingo (Doutie 57′), Sekgota (Hotto 57′), Human (Macuphu 80′), Dzvukamanja.