Mamelodi Sundowns will seek to bounce back to winning ways in the league when they visit Marumo Gallants at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Wednesday.
Sundowns were stunned by TS Galaxy last week, losing 1-0 to the Rockets, and will not want a second straight loss in the league which can derail their title charge.
The Brazilians, however, come from a point of strength as they won at the weekend, beating lower league side Mpheni Home Defenders 2-0 on Sunday, February 16, to advance to the Nedbank Cup quarter-final.
Victory restored confidence within the Sundowns camp ahead of what is a third meeting against Gallants this season.
The Brazilians won the first leg in the PSL 4-1 last September before securing a 2-0 victory in the Carling Knockout semi-final in November and are favourites to complete a hat-trick of wins against Gallants.
Head-to-head
Sundowns have a formidable record against Gallants as in the 11 meetings between the two sides, they have won eight, two ending draws, with Bahlabane Ba Ntwa claiming just one win.
That puts Gallants in a difficult spot given they have already shipped in six goals while scoring just one against the PSL champions this season.
Form guide
Sundowns had won 10 straight league matches before the shock loss to Galaxy, which has taken them to the top of the PSL table with 42 points from 16 matches, nine ahead of Orlando Pirates, who have two games in hand.
The Brazilians have lost just twice in the league and will feel that this is a chance to gain three more points on the board and maintain the distance with Pirates.
Meanwhile, Gallants are facing the threat of relegation as they sit in 14th position with 15 points from 16 matches, four ahead of 15th-placed Magesi FC, and badly need wins to get out of the danger zone.
Even though bottom-placed Royal AM appear like they have already kissed the PSL goodbye, owing to their suspension due to their financial issues, Gallants will want to avoid finishing lower than 14th as that would mean a tricky relegation-promotion playoff that can go either way.
Gallants’ form, however, does not inspire confidence as they have just four wins in 16 league matches, winning three of their last 10 PSL ties, drawing two and losing five, hardly the kind of run that can help their cause.
They are, however, coming from a morale-boosting 1-0 victory over AmaZulu in the Nedbank Cup which will give them confidence of getting something from the match against Sundowns.
Team news
Cardoso made several changes at the weekend in a bid to keep his squad fresh and after getting a rest, the likes of Ronwen Williams, Grant Kekana, Teboho Mokoena, Peter Shalulile and Lucas Ribeiro are expected to return.
What have they said?
Cardoso has, however, complained over the fixture congestion which he terms ‘unfair treatment’ but he will have to cope as the games come thick and fast.
“It will be a challenge because, as I said already, we have eight games in a row during one month; this is something that should never happen in football,” said the Portuguese coach.
“Obviously it's not normal to happen, so until the FIFA break, we'll be playing every three or four days; it's not normal and not acceptable, it's very difficult to cope with.
“So, I really hope that players can sustain their efforts, and most of our opponents will not be in this situation. I saw the other teams' calendars, and they will not be submitted to this kind of effort, while we will.”
Time & where to watch
The match will kick off at 19.30 at the Dr Molemela Stadium and will be live on SuperSport TV (SS202).
Sundowns predicted XI
Williams, Morena, Kekana, Suarez, Modiba, Mokoena, Allende, Adams, Ribeiro, Shalulile, Rayners
