Orlando Pirates will host Mamelodi Sundowns in a critical PSL clash at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday. Kick off is at 19:30 South African time.
Bucs played second fiddle to the Brazilians for the last two seasons running, but they?ve struggled to hit their straps so far. They find themselves midtable at the halfway mark in the 2019-20 season. Newly appointed coach Josef Zinnbauer has helped improve their fortunes somewhat, but the road to redemption is paved with rocky fixtures.
For Sundowns, the defending champions, there can be no slipping as they hope to keep breathing down Kaizer Chiefs? necks, despite fixture congestion from the CAF Champions League.
Masandawana last lost away to Pirates back in 2011, though, but they will need to find some firepower up front.
Chiefs are increasingly looking like runaway league winners – with 41 league points after 17 fixtures. Sundowns remain second, but have just 32 points – with the match against Pirates being their 17th league match of the season.
Amakhosi have also been banging in the goals, finding the back of the net 36 times so far this season. Sundowns have scored just 22 goals and Pirates 27.
And it’s when comparing these stats where things becoming quite interesting.
Despite their struggles, Pirates have a decent league record at home this season, with an average of 2.14 points and two goals per match. Sundowns have been more modest when travelling.
Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns: Goals and points matchup
Stats from this season only.
But that graphic tells only half the story.
The two sides share the exact same percentage (29%) of clean sheets for their respective home (Pirates) and away matches (Sundowns) this season. The two teams also share the same rate for conceding goals in their respective home and away fixtures.
Pirates, though, have failed to score at home more often than Sundowns have when travelling while Bucs have been more likely to score in both halves at home.
Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns: Head-to-head this season
Stats from this season only.
Another point of intrigue, as noted by Mzansi Football, is that Pirates have not won any of the last six league encounters between the two teams. Both matches last season ended in a goalless stalemate.