Orlando Pirates Face Marumo Gallants in Crucial Betway Premiership Clash
Image credits: Orlando Pirates Football Club
The Orlando Pirates are set to take on Marumo Gallants at the Free State Stadium on Saturday, in a match that could have significant implications for the Betway Premiership title race. The Soweto giants are currently 15 points behind league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, but they have four games in hand and will be looking to make a dent in the deficit with a win over Gallants. The match is scheduled to kick off at 17:45 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport PSL.
The Pirates will be without head coach Jose Riveiro, who is serving a one-match suspension after being booked in the team's previous match against Cape Town City. However, they will be boosted by the return of Kabelo Dlamini, who has served his yellow-card ban and is available for selection. Midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi is a slight injury worry after being stretchered off in the second half of the match against City, but the team is hopeful that he will be fit to play. The injury concern is a worry for the team, but they are confident that they have the depth to cope with it. The team's preparations have been going well, and they are ready for the match.
Marumo Gallants, on the other hand, will be looking to get back on the winning trail after a goalless draw against Polokwane City in their previous match. The team is currently in 15th place in the Premiership standings, with just 16 points from 18 matches. They will be without midfielder Monde Mphambaniso, who is suspended after picking up his fourth caution of the season. The team's defence has been a concern, but they are working on improving it. The match against Pirates will be a tough test for the team, but they are ready for it.
The head-to-head record between the two teams is heavily in favor of the Pirates, who have won four of the five matches played between them. The most recent encounter was a resounding 8-1 win for the Pirates at Orlando Stadium, and they will be looking to repeat that performance on Saturday. The match is expected to be a close and intense one, with both teams giving it their all. The Pirates will be looking to use their experience to their advantage, while Gallants will be looking to use their home ground to their advantage.
Here are the starting lineups for the two teams:
- Marumo Gallants: 36. Arubi, 21. Mabotja, 13. Ncube, 3. Rikhotso, 15. Nemtajela, 22. Msendami, 35. Sikhosana, 26. Sithole, 7. Mhango, 5. Manaka, 9. Zindoga
- Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 3. Van Rooyen, 5. Sibisi, 27. Xoki, 26. Shandu, 8. Makhaula, 16. Mbatha, 18. Dlamini, 7. Hotto, 38. Mofokeng, 19. Mabasa
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