Mamelodi Sundowns will seek to seal their place in the Carling Knockout final when they visit Marumo Gallants at the Dr Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
Sundowns are in good form after putting together three straight wins without conceding and few are betting against them not winning in Bloemfontein.
The Brazilians have bounced back from their shock loss to Polokwane City to win 3-0 against Cape Town City, 4-0 over Kaizer Chiefs, before getting their revenge over Rise and Shine, whom they beat 2-0 on Wednesday.
That makes them heavy favourites to win on Sunday against a Gallants side that have just one league win this season, even if they have been impressive in the cup.
Head-to-head
This will be the second time Sundowns and Gallants are meeting and the first match was won by Masandawana on September 24, securing a thumping 4-1 victory.
That was the fifth straight win for Sundowns against Gallants and the seventh match overall, in which the Brazilians have not lost against them.
Gallants last beat Sundowns in April 2021, when they secured a shock 1-0 win, and will be hoping that such luck befalls them on Sunday.
Form guide
However, to beat Sundowns, Gallants will need to greatly improve as their form this season does not inspire confidence.
In their eight matches, they have won three, drawn one and lost four, with two of those wins coming in the Carling Knockout where they eliminated Polokwane City (3-2) from the Round of 16 before a 1-0 victory against holders Stellenbosch at the quarter-finals.
They face a Sundowns team that have won 10 of their last 11 games, having put together a seven-match winning run prior to the shock loss to Polokwane, but have followed it up with three victories on the bounce without letting in a goal.
Team news
Sundowns’ injury list keeps growing with midfielder Rivaldo Coetzee joining Themba Zwane and Tashreeq Matthews in the treatment room but the form of youngster Kutlwano Letlhaku, who scored both goals against Polokwane, is giving the Brazilians confidence.
Brazilian forward Arthur de Oliveira Sales assisted both goals and will hope to continue as he adapts to life in South Africa following his high-profile signing from Belgium in the off-season.
What have they said?
De Sales has promised Sundowns fans more after showing glimpse of his immense talents on Wednesday.
“I was used to very tactical, very organised football and here it is a little different. I needed to adapt again. Now, I believe I am more adapted, I can find spaces better, enjoy myself and show why I came here,” said.
Time, where to watch & ticket information
The match will kick off at 15.00 at the Dr Molemela Stadium and will be live on SuperSport TV (SS 202) and SABC 1. Tickets are available at Ticketpro outlets and online for R50 each.
Predicted line-up
Sundowns predicted XI: Williams, Lebusa, Maboe, Kekana, Modiba, Mudau, Morena, Maema, De Sales, Letlhaku, Shalulile
