Orlando Pirates host arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs in another heated Soweto Derby. Can the Glamour Boys upset the apple cart?
Chiefs are struggling for Betway Premiership wins
After only eight games of the new Betway Premiership campaign, Chiefs already trail leaders Sundowns by nine points, and Pirates by eight. They’ve only won two of their last eight clashes across all competitions and drawn more matches than they’ve won in the league. Ironically, they’re unbeaten in the league but far off the title pace. Chiefs did pick up a timely 3-0 win over TS Galaxy in the Telkom Knockout thanks to a hat-trick from 22-year-old striker Wandile Duba, who made history as the first Chiefs player to score a treble in this competition since 1996. Flavio Silva and Mfundo Vilakazi could be vying for a spot alongside Mdu Shabalala and Duba in a Chiefs attacking trio. Could Duba be the hero?
How do the H2H stakes look?
Pirates have won three of the last five meetings, although the most recent one ended 1-1. Before that sequence of five, Pirates had won three on the bounce. Conventional wisdom suggests that the Sea Robbers will prevail here, but since when did conventional wisdom decide a derby?
Kickoff details
Defending Betway Premiership champions welcome Soweto archrivals Kaizer Chiefs to Orlando Stadium on Saturday, 31 October. Kickoff in the derby is at 15:30. The match will air on DStv channel 202 and SABC 1.
Orlando Pirates are sailing the seven seas, and it’s going smoothly
The Sea Robbers are also unbeaten in the Betway Premiership, but have amassed 22 points from a possible 24, entering this match as the overwhelming favourites. Pirates advanced in the Telkom Knockout with a routine 3-0 win over Milford. In-form winger Tshepang Moremi bagged himself a brace and an assist. The Bafana man will be desperate to carry his red-hot form into the derby.
Likely Soweto Derby XIs
Pirates
4231: Chaine; Sigomoshe, Seema, Sibisi, Hotto; Mbatha, Mokobodi; Masilela, Kgositsile, Moremi; Makgopa.
Chiefs
3421: Petersen; Kwinika, Moloisane, Miguel; Frosler, Mthethwa, Maboe, Cross; Shabalala, Duba; Silva.
Who will prevail in this weekend’s Soweto Derby? Add your thoughts by clicking the red comments banner below!