Pirates desperate to end losing streak against Sundowns

Orlando Pirates will travel to Loftus Versfeld to face Mamelodi Sundowns in a DStv Premiership fixture on Saturday night.

This match marks the return of domestic football after a one-month recess, with the two giants of South African football set to cross swords in a blockbuster clash to round up Saturday’s league action.

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The hosts were among the last to take to the field before the break, dropping points for only the second time this season as they were held to a goalless draw at home by Polokwane City.

Despite this, Sundowns remain top of the standings, unbeaten in their 14 matches played, and have won three of their last five games while playing to two stalemates.

Pirates and Sundowns headline weekend fixtures

They will be looking to extend the considerable gap they have opened up at the top but will face a stern challenge against the Buccaneers, who are currently 13 points adrift in fifth place.

Orlando Pirates endured a sharp turn in fortunes towards the end of last year, losing twice in a row right after going unbeaten in their previous six league games.

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However, they have collected nine points through three victories in their five most recent outings, beating Moroka Swallows and TS Galaxy at Orlando Stadium before blunting Golden Arrows in their own backyard.

Now tasked with ending their rivals’ unbeaten start to the campaign, they head to Tshwane in search of another crucial win that could bump them up to fourth place.

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Pirates have signed Thabiso Lebitso and Thalente Mbatha in the January transfer and both players could make their debut appearances on Saturday.

The two rivals have met twice already in the current season, producing tightly-contested spectacles in cup and league football.

Pirates prevailed in the MTN8 final, winning on penalties to clinch the title, weeks after suffering a 1-0 home defeat in the Premiership.

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They will be looking to put an end to Sundowns’ recent dominance in league fixtures between the two sides, having last taken three points against the Tshwane outfit a little over four years ago.

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