Big Guns Relishing Midweek PSL Feast

2018/19 Premier Soccer League

Wednesday, January 16^th

Cape Town City vs Free State Stars
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Maritzburg United
Amazulu vs Kaizer Chiefs

All matches expected to kick-off at 19:30 (7:30pm) CAT

Mamelodi Sundowns will attempt to narrow the gap between themselves and Bidvest Wits at the summit of the ABSA Premiership in South Africa on Wednesday when they host Maritzburg United, with the Students not in action until Sunday. Elsewhere across the country 6^th placed Kaizer Chiefs are looking to follow up their first league win under new head coach Ernst Middendorp last week when they make the trip to KZN for a tricky encounter away to Amazulu. Cape Town City, who were held to a thrilling 2-2 draw by Baroka on the weekend, welcome struggling Free State Stars to the Mother City.

CAPE TOWN CITY VS FREE STATE STARS – CAPE TOWN STADIUM

Cape Town City have suffered just one defeat in their last nine league matches and head into Wednesday’s affair unbeaten in their last four in the division. Ayanda Patosi ended a four-game goalless run when he bagged the opening goal of the encounter against Baroka this past Saturday – the South African’s 5^th goal of the current campaign.



Free State Stars squashed a four-match losing streak in the league by coming from a goal down to win 2-1 at Maritzburg United last week – Ea Lla Koto’s first win in their last 10 matches in all competitions. Congolese forward Harris Tchilimbou is Stars’ leading marksman this season currently with 4 league goals to his name.

The pair exchanged blows earlier this season, playing out to an exciting 2-2 draw which saw a 95^th-minute own-goal by Free State keeper Olivier Kwizera hand Benni McCarthy’s side a share of the spoils. City have beaten Free State Stars 1-0 at home on both occasions that they have clashed in the league at the Cape Town Stadium, including in the corresponding fixture last season courtesy of Taariq Fielies’ 86^th minute strike.

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS VS MARITZBURG UNITED – LOFTUS VERSVELD

The Brazilians suffered a shock 2-1 defeat away at Lobi Stars of Nigeria in their opening group match of the CAF Champions League – their first defeat from their last 10 matches in all competitions. Their last league outing ended in an equally surprising 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium in a match that Amakhosi dominated before a Virgil Vries howler handed the visitors all three points when it appeared that they were set for a share of the spoils.



The Team of Choice are a far-cry from the one that reached the Nedbank Cup final in 2018. Maritzburg are coming off the back of four successive defeats in the division and are without a win since beating Bloemfontein Celtic back in September – their sole success of the 2018/19 season. Their only other victory came in the first round of the Telkom Knockout Cup when they edged Highlands Park 2-1 in October.

Mamelodi Sundowns have not lost in the league against Maritzburg in over six years – a run of 11 matches which includes five wins and six draws. Fans of the south-coast side will be hopeful of replicating their stunning Nedbank Cup semi-final performance of last season, when they came from a goal down to dump Downs out thanks to goals from Lebohang Maboe and Mxolisi Kunene.

AMAZULU VS KAIZER CHIEFS – KING ZWELITHINI STADIUM

The King Zwelithini Stadium has become somewhat of a fortress for Usuthu, who are unbeaten in nine league matches at home this season. Chiefs on the other hand have struggled on their travels this term, winning just three of their nine away matches.



After picking up two wins from their opening three matches of the campaign, Cavin Johnson’s chargers went seven outings without tasting success before embarking on a remarkable run, notching up four wins from their previous seven, lifting them off the foot of the table in the process, as they prepare to host Chiefs.

Despite a 3-1 defeat to Zesco United in the CAF Confederations Cup on Sunday, the Glamour Boys will be optimistic of their chances against Amazulu with their recent performances suggesting new head coach Ernst Middendorp’s side are heading in the right direction. Chiefs bounced back from that defeat to Sundowns by beating the current league leaders Bidvest Wits 2-0 in their own backyard. It remains to be seen, however, whether all the club’s continental duties (Chiefs have played 8 matches in all competitions since the start of December) will take their toll.
 
Kaizer Chiefs are seeking to maintain their unbeaten record against Amazulu on Wednesday, having won 11 and drawn 4 of the 15 league games between the pair. Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Siyabonga Ngezana scored either side of the break to seal a 2-0 win for the hosts when the sides met in September, ending a sequence of back-to-back goalless stalemates between them, including the 0-0 draw in the corresponding fixture last season.
 

 
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