After a thrilling Soweto Derby on Saturday, South African Premiership fans' attention now turns to the Tshwane Derby between SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns in Atteridgeville on Wednesday February 5.
Defending champions Sundowns extended their lead at the top of the Betway Premiership table to six points with a 4-0 win over Golden Arrows on Sunday. Meanwhile, SuperSport United are a long way off the pace in 11th on the PSL table, and lost their last game 2-1 to AmaZulu.
SuperSport United are coached by Gavin Hunt, who led them to three successive Premiership titles in 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10 and returned to the club in 2022 after departing in 2013.
However, Mamelodi Sundowns' mammoth budget has proven too much to compete with for Matsatsantsa, even since the return of their old mastermind. Sundowns have won the last seven Premiership titles.
While Masandawana are in a title fight with Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United will be playing not only for pride but also to remain in touching distance of the top eight teams in the league, who will qualify for next season's MTN8.
Key details:
Date: Wednesday, Feb 5 at 7:30 PM CAT (5:30 PM GMT, 12:30 PM ET)
Venue: Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium
How to watch: The match is available on SuperSport
Team news:
Sundowns' Bathusi Aubaas is the only player who is suspended for this game as a result of his red card in the 5-2 Nedbank Cup win over Sibanye Golden Stars. Siphesihle Ndlovu is one yellow card away from a suspension for SuperSport United, as is Sphelele Mkhulise for Mamelodi Sundowns.
Masandawana will likely tweak their starting lineup and rotate players against SuperSport United ahead of the crucial clash with title rivals Orlando Pirates on 8 February. The defending champions have a relatively clean bill of health at the moment, although Themba Zwane and Rivaldo Coetzee remain out with long-term injuries.
Expected lineups:
SuperSport United
GK Thakasani Mbanjwa
LB Siyabonga Ndebele | CB Éric Mbangossoum | CB Ime Okon | RB Nyiko Mobbie
LM Neo Rapoo | CM Siphesihle Ndlovu | CM Brooklyn Poggenpoel | RM Vincent Pule
ST Christian Saile | ST Siviwe Magidigidix
Mamelodi Sundowns
LB Aubrey Modiba | CB Malibongwe Khoza | CB Grant Kekana | RB Zuko Mdunyelwa
LM Tashreeq Matthews | CM Marcelo Allende | CM Teboho Mokoena | RM Lucas Ribeiro Costa
ST Peter Shalulile | ST Iqraam Rayners
Stats:
SuperSport United have lost their last three Premiership games.
Mamelodi Sundowns' starting lineup in their last fixture (vs Golden Arrows) featured five former SuperSport United players: Ronwen Williams, Grant Kekana, Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena and Iqraam Rayners.
Mamelodi Sundowns have won three and drawn one of the last four Tshwane derbies.