Celtic chase top-eight place

Ndumiso Mabena, Captain of Bloemfontein Celtic is challenged by Keagan Buchanan of Maritzburg United

Friday Sep 04, 2020. 10:30

Bloemfontein Celtic will look to end the Absa Premiership season in the top eight when they host Maritzburg United at Tuks Stadium on Saturday 5 September 2020, kick-off at 15h30.

Celtic dropped out of the top half of the log when they were held 0-0 at Golden Arrows on September 2 – their fourth consecutive draw in the league. Phunya Sele Sele have claimed 24 points from 14 home matches so far this season.

Maritzburg have gone five league matches without a win (but will still finish in the top eight regardless) after they were beaten 1-0 at home by Orlando Pirates on September 2. The Team of Choice has claimed 18 points from 14 away matches in the 2019/20 campaign.

In head-to-head stats, Maritzburg and Celtic have met in 27 league matches since 2005/06. United have claimed 10 wins compared to six for Phunya Sele Sele, while 11 games have been drawn. The Bloemfontein side has recorded three wins, five draws and five defeats from their 13 home matches in the rivalry.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Harry Gwala Stadium in November 2019, they played out a 2-2 draw. Celtic led by two goals thanks to strikes from Sera Motebang and Siphelele Luthuli, but United fought back with late efforts from Daylon Claasen and Judas Moseamedi.

Celtic’s line-up from their 0-0 draw with Arrows on September 2: Chaine, Ngobeni, Chabalala, Mahashe, Fikizolo, Phalane (De Jongh 90+2’), Letlabika, Luthuli (Mashikinya 90+2’), Masuku (Motebang 68’), Mabena (Tchilimbou 81’), Maema (Letsoalo 68’).

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 1-0 loss to Pirates on September 2: Ofori, Sanoka, Allie, Kutumela, De Reuck, Mbourou, Timm, Claasen (Shandu 76′), Mngonyama, Tlolane, Hlongwane (Augusto 86′).