How Chiefs should set up

Experience in goal

Hunt has a number of question marks ahead of this match. He will hope to have Itumeleng Khune fully fit after a shoulder injury that kept him sidelined for the draw with Bloemfontein Celtic and the defeat away to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC. Akpeyi should be over the concussion he suffered against Celtic too. Hunt has not shown much faith in Bruce Bvuma and will want to avoid starting the inexperienced keeper against Simba despite the large number of errors made by Khune, in particular, this season. Should he have both Akpeyi and Khune available, then Hunt is expected to select the latter. He has the most experience and made a superb late save in Conakry against Horoya to show his class.

Frosler further forward?

Defensively, recent matches have seen Hunt show a liking for a back three with two wingbacks. Chiefs set up that way from the start against Mamelodi Sundowns and then moved to a back three in the second half against TTM as Yagan Sasman was introduced. The big benefit of that is that Reeve Frosler and Philani Zulu get to play slightly more adventurously with the protection of Siyabonga Ngezana, Mathoho (if fit, otherwise Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Anthony Agay or Sasman) and Cardoso behind them. Neither Frosler nor this season with plenty of goals conceded either through their defensive errors or in the space behind them as they get back into shape too slowly. If Hunt does go with a back four, then Ngezana is likely to be at right back with Frosler and Zulu fighting it out for the left back position.

Baccus and Blom together

In recent matches, Kearyn Baccus has given a good balance to the midfield whenever he has been on the pitch. Njabulo Blom, despite his naïve red card against TTM, will surely play as the most athletic and defensively capable of the central midfield options. Parker is also favoured by Hunt in his relatively new deeper central midfield role. All three could be selected together in a 4-3-3 shape, but if a 3-5-2 is used, then Hunt is only likely to select two of Baccus, Blom and Parker in front of the defence. Willard Katsande may be showing signs of slowing down this season, but he could be a very useful substitute for the final 15-20 minutes if Chiefs are holding onto a lead.

Does Ngcobo start?

The big question is whether young Nkosingiphile Ngcobo is trusted to start a match of this magnitude. He was an unused substitute in recent matches against Sundowns and TTM and has seemingly dropped down Hunt’s pecking order despite being perhaps the son. It seems unlikely that he will be recalled for this match, with Lebogang Manyama selected instead for his experience and extra physicality. If a 4-3-3 is used, then Manyama could be selected on the right flank ,but if it’s 3-5-2 (or 3-42-1), then he would be more central in support of the striker where he is more natural.

Will Billiat return? Castro or Nurkovic to lead the line?

The coach will be hoping that Khama Billiat can overcome his leg injury in time to start this match, especially after his crucial goal against Horoya. If he is fit, then a role as a left-sided forward either in a 4-3-3 or 3-42-1 is likely despite Hunt’s recent assertion that the Zimbabwean is a striker and not a winger. One target man is expected to be in the starting XI. Leonardo Castro got the nod against Sundowns and Chippa United in the last four matches, but Nurkovic was recalled against Celtic and TTM. The Serbian did not have much effect on those games but did win a penalty against TTM. Simba have very strong central defenders physically and whoever is given the nod to start for Chiefs is going to have to battle hard. Expect to see one target man start with the other replacing him around the hour mark. Nurkovic has only scored two goals in 24 appearances this season and may be better off coming on as an impact player with a