Kaizer Chiefs will start the Soweto Derby Iooking to surprise in-form Orlando Pirates on Saturday at the FNB Stadium.
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The derby will not feature as a potential decider in the title race but rather if Chiefs win, it will hurt Pirates’ chances of finishing second. Second place in the league earns them a start in next seasons’ African Champions League.
Chiefs are in their eighth season without a trophy and so a derby loss will only add fuel to the fire surrounding the future of Arthur Zwane. The Amakhosi coach has seen his side drift to just seven points above the relegation zone with one five from their last five meetings.
Pirates have already won in this campaign, taking the MTN8 in November and are a point behind SuperSport in the race for second.
AmaKhosi have the historic upper hand, as well as having won the last four meetings between the two clubs.
A fifth successive victory over Pirates would be massive for the club and the coach alike.
Overall, in the derby it is Chiefs who have have 73 wins to Pirates’ 44 and 226 goals to 190 for the Buccaneers.
There are three points between the two sides in the table as they both have 10 games left in the season.
It is unlikely to be a high scoring match with eight goals in the last four derbies for an average of two per game.
Saturday’s clash will be the 72nd at Soccer City which, since it hosted its first derby in 1989, has been the venue of choice.
The superior 90 000 capacity means a huge pay day for both clubs, the second derby with fans back in the stands.