Payback time for Downs as struggling Cape side comes calling
PRETORIA sides Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United are holding up the Premier Soccer League Christmas recess and with good reason; they still have to make up their games in hand.
Sundowns are already feeling the festive cheer and deservedly so. They are top of the log with 28 points from 13 matches but getting the three points from Cape Town City at Loftus Versfeld this evening that will see them move past the crucial 30point barrier will be far from easy.
However‚ with the way these two teams have been playing‚ there’s every possibility of a result.
Between them‚ they’ve only drawn four matches and won 15 of their 27 matches.
While Sundowns can’t be dislodged from the top spot‚ a win will push Benni McCarthy’s inconsistent side to second place on 24 points.
Beating Sundowns in Pretoria will be far from easy‚ especially with the fact that Pitso Mosimane’s side have
all but shrugged off their early season home jitters.
Having failed to win their first four home games in all competitions‚ their 4-0 hammering of Baroka on December 5 set them on course.
After seeing off a tough Maritzburg United side 1-0 last week‚ they put their bogey side Bloemfontein Celtic to the sword with a rasping 4-1 win on Saturday.
Vengeance may also be on Sund mind as Cape Town City took the six points from them last season with 2-1 and 1-0 wins home and away.
Those were results that had a serious bearing on Sundowns’ dented title defence last season.
The break though cannot come sooner for SuperSport‚ who have to make the trip to Bloemfontein to face the in-form Celtic.
Eric Tinkler’s side are making a dog’s breakfast of their games in hand situation.
While they were fortunate to steal a point from Cape Town City last week‚ Free State Stars and Baroka FC took turns in taking maximum points off the Caf Confederations Cup finalists. A win will move SuperSport to 10th place as they have 15 points from their 10 matches.