adminJOHANNESBURG. — Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will cross swords for the first time in the Absa Premiership this season when they meet at FNB Stadium today, kick-off at 3:30pm.
Chiefs have racked up seven points from their last three league matches. Their last outing was a 2-1 home win over Platinum Stars.
The team in gold and black is unbeaten at home this season, having claimed two wins and a draw from three matches.
Their next three league opponents are Ajax Cape Town (away), Bidvest Wits (home) and Mamelodi Sundowns (away).
The Amakhosi are placed fourth on the Absa Premiership log with 11 points from six matches.
Pirates will be playing just their third league match of the season. Their previous outing was a 1-0 win at home to Polokwane City.
Due to their participation in the Caf Champions League and subsequent postponements, this is Pirates’ first away league match of the season.
Their next three league opponents are Mpumalanga Black Aces (home), Moroka Swallows (away) and SuperSport United (home).
The Buccaneers are placed 16th on the Absa Premiership log with three points from two matches.
In head-to-head stats, Chiefs and Pirates have met in 55 league matches since 1985.
The Amakhosi boast 22 wins compared to 12 for the Buccaneers, while 21 matches have been drawn.
Chiefs have a strong home record against Pirates, with 13 wins and just five losses from 26 matches, though they have won just one of their last five home league matches against their arch rivals.
Last season the teams shared the spoils in both of their league clashes drawing 1-1 in the home game for Bucs and 0-0 with Amakhosi as hosts.
Roger de Sa’s men are also boosted by the fact that they have reached the final of the CAF Champions League.
De Sa acknowledges that his side head into this match riding on momentum and hopes that his side can carry it right through the derby even though they have faced a heavy fixture schedule.
“The boys are confident heading into the clash with Chiefs,” said the former Bidvest Wits coach.
“We have been doing well lately and they (players) want to play every match and they are producing the goods.
“Derby matches are always tight affairs, we hope to come out on top after the match but we also know the challenges we will face against Chiefs.”
Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter has pointed out that his side will be facing a team that is riding high on confidence heading into this clash but the reigning Absa Premiership coach of the season hopes to spoil the party for Bucs.
“Every time we play a derby game we know that there is a little bit more at stake than three points,” said Baxter.
There is bragging rights at stake for the supporters and also there is gaining impetus in the league.
“We have an opponent that is coming into the match with massive confidence and we have to deal with wall of that.
“Plus we have to worry about our own game and keep things together and hopefully we can come out with three points but the road there is a long one.”
Last season the teams shared the spoils in both of their league clashes, drawing 1-1 in the home game for Bucs and 0-0 with Amakhosi as hosts. – SuperSport.com
Chiefs’ line-up from their 2-1 win over Stars: Khune, Dladla, Gould, Mathoho, Ritchie, Lebese (Mashamaite 90+3’), Letsholonyane, Katsande, Nkosi (Tshabalala 69’), Parker, Majoro (Musona 60’).
Pirates’ line-up from their 1-0 win over Polokwane: Meyiwa, Jele, Mahamutsa, Sangweni, Phungwayo, Segolela (Twala 84’), Jali, Manyisa, Ngoma (Mbuyane 62’), Erasmus (Myeni 75’), Gabuza.
Online Reporter