Three essential factors within the Betway Premiership will as soon as once more be on the road on Wednesday as Orlando Pirates put together to host Sekhukhune United at Orlando Stadium to kick off a busy week.
The hosts on the day return to league soccer following almost a month-long interval of cup commitments inside and past South African shores. They sq. up in opposition to a battle-ready outfit that has labored its approach up the standings whereas the Buccaneers’ consideration was centered elsewhere.
Kind Information
The fixture arrives with simply 5 factors separating the 2 sides in second and third place, with the Soweto Giants greater up within the standings with 4 video games in hand. They might want to put the frustration of their final outing behind them, having exited the CAF Champions League within the final 4 as a consequence of a 3-2 defeat away to Pyramids final Friday.
That lead to Cairo not solely ended hopes of a second continental triumph, but in addition an unbeaten run that started in early March, consisting of 5 victories and three stalemates. A win on Saturday will go a way in placing that individual low second behind them because it retains them within the race for league honours after discovering themselves 9 factors behind the table-topping Mamelodi Sundowns having performed two fixtures much less.
The Buccaneers now bid for one more most factors haul whereas nonetheless boasting a powerful house file within the league. They’ve claimed 27 out of an accessible 30 factors in Soweto, averaging 2.3 targets per match and solely failing to search out the online in a uncommon defeat in opposition to Stellenbosch. An equally key side of their dominance on house turf has been their effectivity on the different finish of the pitch, the place they’ve solely let in six targets in 10 matches.
Whereas this might present some much-needed confidence heading into the conflict, they are going to little question be cautious of the risk posed by a Sekhukhune aspect that has confirmed greater than able to grinding out outcomes away from house. Babina Noko are unbeaten of their final three league video games on the highway, seeing off Marumo Gallants and Cape City Metropolis earlier than selecting up an essential level away to TS Galaxy.
Their current run has contributed to a tally of 10 factors of their final 5 video games away from house, propelling them to inside a good shot of a return to continental cup competitors with participation within the Champions League within reach . One other three factors at Orlando Stadium will maintain that dream alive, whereas complicating issues for the hosts who’re one in every of simply two groups within the league with any likelihood of claiming high honours.
Staff Information
The guests have been boosted by the supply of midfielder Khulekani Shezi within the lead-up to the conflict. The 24-year-old is again in rivalry for a spot within the match day squad after sitting out Sekhukhune’s final two fixtures by way of suspension introduced on by a crimson card earned midway by way of their victory over Metropolis.
Babina Noko might nonetheless miss the providers of midfielder Vusimuzi Mncube, who’s but to function since being stretchered out 11 minutes into the conflict in Cape City.
For the Buccaneers, there are not any instant suspension worries with heading into the fixture. The likes of Thabiso Monyane and Olisa Ndah in the meantime proceed on their highway to restoration after sustaining knocks previously few weeks.
Key Gamers
Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates): Contemporary off including yet another aim to his tally, Mofokeng is without doubt one of the in-form attackers at Riveiro’s disposal. The 20-year-old sits on 11 targets and 13 assists throughout competitions this season, underlying his ever-growing affect up entrance.
Sipho Mbule (Sekhukhune United): Possessing all of the ball abilities and physicality required to command issues within the centre of the park, the 27-year-old has been a key addition to the Sekhukhune lineup this season. Mbule has operated in varied positions within the midfield, chipping in with 10 aim contributions in all competitions.
Head-to-Head
Pirates and Sekhukhune have served up some intriguing affairs in what continues to be a younger rivalry consisting of simply eight league fixtures and two clashes in cup competitors. It’s the Buccaneers who maintain a proud file within the fixture, profitable 5 of their encounters within the Premiership whereas dropping twice and enjoying to a single stalemate.
Each defeats have been away from house, and a one-all attract Might 2023 stays the one occasion the place the Soweto Giants have been unable to bag all three factors on house soil. Orlando Stadium was additionally the scene of their largest victory in opposition to the Limpopo-based outfit – a 5-0 routing within the opening spherical of the 2023/24 MTN8.
Nevertheless, profitable margins have been on the slim aspect all through the league rivalry between the 2 sides with Babina Noko managing to maintain the Buccaneers scoreless simply as soon as of their eight matches. Pirates have stored twice as many clear sheets, however are nonetheless but to win by greater than a single aim since first encountering Sekhukhune within the early a part of the 2021/22 season.
TV Protection and Ticket Data
Kick-off is at 19:30 with the fixture televised stay on SuperSport PSL. Stay updates can be supplied throughout Orlando Pirates social media channels.
Tickets can be found on the market on-line on OpenTickets whereas bodily tickets may be bought at varied Shoprite, Checkers, and USave retailers nationwide.
