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It’s a matter between two undefeated Gauteng giants who square off in this big 2021 premiere.
Mamelodi Sundowns will come out to preserve his lead in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) standings, while Orlando Pirates will be eager to close the gap and keep track of the leaders when they meet on Saturday.
The two giants collide at Loftus Versfeld in the first league game of the new year.
Both teams have had to shorten their Christmas holidays to prepare for this match on a schedule unknown to PSL teams who are used to resting during this period.
Five points separate the two giants, but the Pirates have played one game less than Downs and the victory would be crucial for the Buccaneers, who are in fifth place, to reduce the gap between them and the leaders to two points.
However, even if the Sundowns lose, they are guaranteed top spot until Tuesday, when second-ranked Swallows FC host Cape Town City.
| Game | Mamelodi Sundowns vs Orlando Pirates |
| Date | Saturday january 2 |
| Time | 15:30 am hour |
TV channel, live score and how to watch
| Online transmission | Television channel |
|---|---|
| DStv.com/DStv Now app | SuperSport PSL 202 / SABC Channel 1 |
Squads and team news
Earlier in the week, Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rhulani Mokwena expressed doubts about Themba Zwane’s availability in form.
The attacking midfielder has missed Sundowns’ last two games, but the exact reason for his absence has not been explained, although Mokwena said they have suffered “injuries and many other medical conditions.”
Regardless of what may have left out Zwane, who has scored seven league goals in as many games, the Brazilians will be desperate for his return for a match of such magnitude.
They are also doubtful, for the reasons mentioned by Mokwena, Captain Hlompho Kekana and forward Kermit Erasmus.
While Kekana has not been very involved this season, Brazilians would be interested in Erasmus being available.
The former Orlando Pirates star has formed a strong partnership with Zwane and Peter Shalulile this season, and their presence on Saturday could prove very difficult for his former club.
The availability of Orlando Pirates forward Zakhele Lepasa is still uncertain after he was injured in his last league game against Chippa United on December 16, 2020 in which he lasted just five minutes.
This saw the missing 23-year-old Pirates’ last game, the Caf Confederation Cup trip to Angolan team Sagrada Esperanca.
Despite having scored just one goal in seven PSL games so far this season, Lepasa has been an influential force in terms of shaking up defenses and opening the game for players like Tshegofatso Mabasa, Fortune Makaringe, Vincent Pule and Deon Hotto. .
But his absence would see PSL’s top scorer from last season, Frank Mhango, start as coach, Josef Zinnbauer mentioned last week that now is the time to hand over the regular Malawian player minutes after recovering from injury.
After Congolese forward Jean-Marc Makusu made his Pirates debut against Sagrada Esperanca, he might as well be in line for his first PSL appearance.
Pirates forward Tshegofatso Mabasa is also injured.
Match preview
Sundowns and Pirates are two of four teams yet to taste defeat this season, with the others being Swallows and Golden Arrows in sixth place.
The fact that the two giants are eager to maintain their undefeated record makes Saturday’s match a potentially stormy event.
Downs has gone 10 straight league games without losing after registering seven wins and three draws, his last loss at the hands of Baroka FC during the PSL biobubble on August 30, 2020.
On the other hand, the Soweto giants are also unbeaten in 10 consecutive PSL games after six wins and four draws, and they last lost a match on August 23, 2020 when they succumbed 1-0 to Cape Town.
But this season, the Pirates’ campaign has been somewhat undone by draws that have seen them six points behind Downs.
Downs enters this match after sharing points in their last league game, a 1-1 draw at Golden Arrows, while the Pirates edged Chippa 1-0.
The last meeting between the giants ended in a 0-0 draw on August 11, 2020, while the reverse match saw the Pirates winning 1-0, 12 months ago, courtesy of Mhango’s goal in the first half.
In the last five league games playing the two sides against each other, the Buccaneers have won twice, with the remaining three games ending in draws.
