Old foes ready for Soweto derby

28 October 2016 - 10:38 By Mark Gleeson

For once the Soweto derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates has had a muted build-up, overshadowed this week by the exploits of Mamelodi Sundowns in the African Champions League. But a capacity crowd is still expected at Soccer City tomorrow for the first match between the two since Pirates handed Chiefs a 2-0 defeat in the first round of the Nedbank Cup in March.Eric Tinkler had his tactics perfectly ordered that day as Pirates dominated their archrivals to extend their unbeaten run against Chiefs to five games.But historically this is a fixture that Amakhosi have long dominated and, as they mark the 160th meeting between the two clubs, the Buccaneers would be wise to heed the fact that Chiefs have won 67 times to Pirates' paltry 38, with 49 draws and five abandoned games.Coach Steve Komphela has overcome a poor start to the season to take Chiefs to the top of the Premier Soccer League standings, while Muhsin Ertugral is taking time to fit in at Pirates.Whether his coaching methods are having the desired effect is a question more frequently being posed, and this is an important game for him to establish his credentials.Derby success is often a strong tonic for the psyche, but both Chiefs and Pirates this season face time in the shadow of Sundowns and Bidvest Wits, who look the two clubs most likely to win the league title.The match is M1 in the showcase Soccer 6 pool of the weekend. Let's analyse the rest:OTHER FIXTURESM2 Deportivo Alaves v Real Madrid:Alaves have conceded 19 goals in their last five matches against Real. Overall, they have beaten the Champions League holders once in 12 meetings with two draws and nine defeats.M3 Atletico Madrid v Malaga:Atletico tumbled from top to fifth in La Liga after Sunday's loss at Sevilla. Malaga have two draws and two defeats from the four away matches they have played in the top flight in Spain so far this season.M4 Vitoria Setubal v FC Porto:Setubal have never beaten Porto in 44 meetings, losing 41 of them and drawing three. The last 27 clashes between the two clubs have been won by Porto, with Setubal last drawing away in October 2005.M5 Ajax Cape Town v Supersport United:Ajax were away at Supersport last Saturday in the first round of the Telkom Knockout and, although they took the match to extra time, they lost 1-0.M6 Bloemfontein Celtic v Bidvest Wits:Since Serame Letsoaka took over as Celtic coach he has won five games in 26 outings. His first came against Wits in January. In Bloemfontein, Wits have won three and lost three of their previous six visits...

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