PSL fans will be served another classic this weekend as Mamelodi Sundowns host Orlando Pirates in a top of the table PSL clash at the Loftus Versfeld on Saturday February 8.
It is the meeting of the top two teams in the PSL and will provide fans an opportunity to gauge if Sundowns are still the ‘top dogs’ in the league or if Pirates have arrived.
Only three points are at stake but they will make a massive difference to whichever team wins as Sundowns enjoy a six-point lead over Pirates, albeit having played one game more, with 39 points from 14 matches, while the Buccaneers have 33 from 13.
Victory for Miguel Cardoso’s team would therefore take them a little further from Pirates, raising questions on whether it will still be the Brazilians winning the league, but Pirates can make a big statement with a win on enemy territory as it would show that they are indeed closing the gap.
Form guide
Both sides come into the match with an identical run of form somewhat as in their last 10 games, each side has won seven, drawn one and lost another.
However, it is where those wins and draws were recorded that makes the difference as Sundowns’ loss was a 1-0 reverse to Raja Casablanca in the CAF Champions League in January before being held to a 1-1 draw with FAR Rabat in the same competition a week later.
Meanwhile, Pirates had drawn 1-1 with Stade d’Abidjan in the Champions League in December before a shock loss to Cape Town City in the PSL in January but have put together a five-match winning run which includes a late victory against Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby last weekend.
Sundowns, meanwhile, are also on a roll, winning four of their last five, drawing the other, and thrashed SuperSport United 3-0 in the Tshwane Derby on Wednesday.
Head-to-head
Pirates come into this fixture with the physiological edge as they have a good record from the four fixtures the two teams played last season, having won two, drawn one and lost the other.
Sundowns last played Pirates in last season’s Nedbank Cup final in June 2024, a match they won 2-1, and had also denied the Brazilians the MTN8 trophy when they won on post-match penalties in October 2023.
In the PSL, Sundowns beat the Bucs 1-0 at Orlando Stadium before a 1-1 draw in the return leg but they have a good record over Pirates in the league, having won six of their last 10 PSL meetings, three ending in draws, with just one win for the Soweto giants, which arrived in October 2022.
Team news
Cardoso rested some of his key players in midweek and a strong lineup is expected. New signing Jayden Adams scored on his debut, and is likely to start, while it is not certain if Grant Kekana will be back.
Meanwhile, Pirates suffered a blow when ever-present defender Thabiso Sesane was stretchered off to be replaced with Tapelo Xoki and it is not certain how long he will be out but he will definitely miss this tie.
What have they said?
Cardoso remains confident that this is not the match that will determine the title race even though many have a contrary opinion.
“I believe the championship will continue to be tough, whatever happens in this game. No team will give up and both teams can still achieve results,” Cardoso said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Riveiro says he is feeling ‘zero’ pressure ahead of facing Sundowns.
“Like I said, the pressure is the same as from day one, there is nothing different this season. It’s true that the team is giving right now to the people to think of more reasons that we could make it, and that’s a bit new but there is nothing different or new in terms of responsibility that we all feel to be part of this team,” he said.
Time & where to watch
The sold-out match at the Loftus Versfeld will kick off at 15.30 and will be live on SuperSport TV.
Predicted line-ups
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Morena, Khoza, Kebusa, Modiba, Mokoena, Adams, Allende, Ribeiro, Matthews, Shalulile
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Van Rooyen, Sibisi, Xoki, Mako, Makhaula, Mbatha, Maswanganyi, Hotto, Mofokeng, Mabasa
