Gavin Hunt

Gavin Hunt coach of Bidvest Wits during the 2019 MTN8 Bidvest Wits Press Conference on the 15 August 2019 at PSL Offices Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix

Bloemfontein Celtic vs Bidvest Wits: PSL preview and kick-off time

Bidvest Wits will be looking to return to the PSL’s top three when they face Bloemfontein Celtic in a league clash later this afternoon

Gavin Hunt

Gavin Hunt coach of Bidvest Wits during the 2019 MTN8 Bidvest Wits Press Conference on the 15 August 2019 at PSL Offices Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix

Bloemfontein Celtic host Bidvest Wits at the University of Pretoria stadium on Thursday afternoon in a crunch PSL encounter.

Bidvest Wits head into the clash having won just once in their last five PSL games while Bloemfontein Celtic have enjoyed a fairly decent start to life under John Maduka in the PSL’s bio-bubble.

Bloemfontein Celtic can climb to 7th on the PSL’s log standings with a victory this afternoon while for Gavin Hunt’s Bidvest Wits side, maximum points will lift them to third place with three games to go.

Bloemfontein Celtic vs Bidvest Wits: Previous PSL meetings

Bloemfontein Celtic and Bidvest Wits have enjoyed a fairly even battle during recent years. The Clever Boys have earned 12 past PSL victories while Phunya Sele Sele have walked away triumphant on 10 occasions. The remaining five encounters ended in a draw.

As far as the managerial battle is concerned, this will be the first meeting between Bloemfontein Celtic’s newly promoted head coach John Maduka and Bidvest Wits’ highly experienced Gavin Hunt.

Bloemfontein Celtic vs Bidvest Wits: PSL team news

Bloemfontein Celtic are likely to head into today’s clash without Mbhazima Rikhotso and Ronald Pfumbidzai due to injury. They’ll be looking to Motebang Sera to continue his prolific form in front of goal while captain fantastic Ndumiso Mabena’s experience will come in handy for the youthful side.

Bidvest Wits will be without goalkeeper Brandon Peterson through injury. 19-year-old Rowan Human, who has been preferred in midfield, is likely to maintain his place in today’s PSL lineup following his impressive showings in recent weeks. Bidvest Wits will be desperate for goals and may very well be tempted to start Eva Nga up top.

Maduka hoping for improvement

Bloemfontein Celtic head coach John Maduka is adamant his team will put up a strong performance against a ‘dangerous’ Bidvest Wits side in the PSL.

“We could’ve done better in our last game against AmaZulu. We knew that it was going to be difficult considering AmaZulu’s position. I said to the boys, we were disappointed.” Maduka said.

“We will go back and make sure that we rectify our wrongs. The games in the PSL are coming quickly and we need to make sure we prepare well for our next game against Wits who are a dangerous team.”

Gordinho expecting a tough encounter

Lorenzo Gordinho is expecting a tough clash against his high-flying former PSL teammates. Bloemfontein Celtic have already reached the Nedbank Cup final while also dismantling log leaders Kaizer Chiefs last week and Gordinho is not underestimating the challenge that lies ahead.

“It is going to be a tough game, Celtic are playing some good football and they reached the final of the Nedbank Cup.” Bidvest Wits defender Lorenzo Gordinho told SuperSport.

“It will be another fight for both teams to get points. It is one I am looking forward to playing against some old teammates. They’re highly talented.

“Sometimes we concede goals that are not directly in our control, like from set-pieces and so on, which we have been working on. I think we are doing much better now to keep those clean-sheets.”

Bloemfontein Celtic vs Bidvest Wits: PSL kick-off time, where to watch

Action at the University of Pretoria stadium gets underway at 15:30 on Thursday afternoon. The PSL match will be televised live on SuperSport 4. You can also live-stream the game on DSTV Now (Subscription required).