It is likely a last chance for Kaizer Chiefs and Supersport United to keep alive their fading title hopes when they go head to head tomorrow for a second successive week.
It was Nedbank Cup action last Saturday at Soccer City, where Supersport edged past Chiefs into the semifinal after a penalty shootout.
Now staying in touch with the league frontrunners is on the agenda for both teams when they play at Nelspruit’s Mbombela Stadium.
Chiefs enjoy a five-point advantage over Supersport, who have played one game fewer. Chiefs sit four points behind the leaders and Supersport nine.
Any further setbacks will end hopes of taking the title as the campaign reaches the final stretch.
Chiefs coach Steve Komphela remained defiant after losing on Tuesday night at leaders Cape Town City and said his club would fight on to the end.
But he is feeling the pressure of facing a second successive season without a trophy.
This has not happened to Chiefs before.Supersport coach Stuart Baxter misses the trip. He was also absent on Tuesday, when Supersport breathed some life back into the title chase by beating Bidvest Wits away.
Past stats point to Chiefs enjoying success tomorrow.
Supersport have beaten them only once in their previous eight meetings but at this stage of the season the outcome is difficult to predict.
OTHER MATCHES
Free State Stars v Polokwane City:
Stars have lost only twice in 11 previous meetings with Polokwane, but are some way behind them in the Premier Soccer League standings.
Stars need a victory to get themselves out of relegation danger.
Real Madrid v Valencia:
Real have won just one of the last six meetings with Valencia, who beat them 2-1 at home in February. A 6-2 away win over Deportivo was a boost to Real’s La Liga hopes after last weekend ’s loss at home to Barcelona.
Las Palmas v Atletico Madrid:
Las Palmas’ win over Atletico in the Copa del Rey ended a run of five successive losses to the Madrid side.
Orlando Pirates v Chippa United:
Honours are even between these two sides. Their seven past clashes have delivered three wins apiece and just a single draw in their first meeting. But Chippa coach Dan Malesela was removed from his post this week so they might be a little shell-shocked.
Espanyol v Barcelona:
This is a derby match that has tended to be lopsided in favour of Barca.
Espanyol have won only six times in 55 clashes, losing 36 and drawing 13.
Espanyol drew away on Tuesday while Barcelona scored seven goals against Osasuna on Wednesday.
MARK’S BEST BET: R12 permutation for Soccer 6 Pool Saturday 29 April (S6 V2 P1): M1 = 1; M2 = 1; M3 = 1,2; M4 = 3; M5 = 1; M6 = 3.
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