Orlando Pirates vs Highlands Park

Milutin Sredojevic, head coach of Orlando Pirates during the 2019 MTN8 Orlando Pirates Press Conference on the 15 August 2019 at PSL Offices Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix

Orlando Pirates vs Highlands Park: Prediction, scores, kick off and head-to-head

The second MTN8 quarterfinal features an Orlando Pirates sides reeling from back-to-back defeats as they host Highlands Park on Saturday.

Orlando Pirates vs Highlands Park

Milutin Sredojevic, head coach of Orlando Pirates during the 2019 MTN8 Orlando Pirates Press Conference on the 15 August 2019 at PSL Offices Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix

Orlando Pirates begin their MTN8 campaign at home to Highlands Park on Saturday night.

The Buccaneers are in search of an elusive trophy, having not added to their cabinet since triumphing in the 2014 Nedbank Cup.

They return to Orlando Stadium after a tough few days on the road, where they returned with two defeats in as many matches.

The Soweto giants’ went down 1-0 to Zambian outfit Green Eagles in the preliminary round of the Caf Champions League in Lusaka over the weekend.

They followed that up with a resounding defeat at Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday night, where they went down 3-0 to Supersport United.

Their next opponent poses another tricky proposition on their first-ever appearance in the competition.

Speaking ahead of the match, coach Milutin Sredojevic noted the need to rediscover the winning formula.

“We are playing against a team that is unpredictable, tricky and demand from us that from the first to the last minute we are present in the game,” he said.

“We need to find the right formula. I believe in the team and the people who surround me and I believe that the work that we do will enable us to have a good result in the coming game.”

Milutin Sredojevic

For Highlands Park, the competition is uncharted territory for them, following their impressive seventh-placed finish on their return to the top flight.

The Lions of the North are coached by a man who will have a bit of an inside track on their opponents, having had a stint at the Buccaneers at some point.

Coach Owen da Gama is weary of the threat posed by his former side, particularly after a succession of bad results.

“I think it is going to be very tough for us against Pirates after their loss.”They will come back much stronger and they will want to actually redeem themselves‚” said Da Gama.

“But we have worked very hard this past week and we have tried to fix up and try improve on our performance against Maritzburg United.

“For us when you play Pirates it is self motivational because you know the players are motivated. They want to do well against Pirates‚ so it is going to be an interesting match.”

Owen Da Gama

Orlando Pirates vs Highlands Park head-to-head

Highlands Park 2-2 Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates 1-1 Highlands Park

Highlands Park 0-0 Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates 2-2 Highlands Park

Orlando Pirates 2-1 Highlands Park

Kick-off time and prediction

Kick-off: 17 August, 18:00

Prediction: Pressure will be on Orlando Pirates, who will be desperate to turn things around. Highlands Park won’t be pushed around, but expect the hosts to pull through.