Mamelodi Sundowns and Richards Bay lock horns at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday afternoon.
Don’t forget it’s an early kick-off as the match starts at 3pm.
Sundowns are back on home soil after 4-1 away win against Belouizdad in the first CCL quarter-final leg.
They play the second leg after this Richards Bay encounter.
The champions coach Rulani Mokwena have just one win in their last five encounters which includes a run of three consecutive stalemates.
They haven’t won in the league since being crowned champions yet again.
As for the Natal Rich Boys, Vasili Manousakis and his troops go into their next game winless in their last 10 PSL matches.
Prior to their most recent 1-1 draw with Maritzburg United, Richards Bay went on a seven match losing streak and currently occupy 10th spot on the table.
Facing Downs as the away side, Richards Bay have not won an away tie in each of their last five outings, recording three losses and two draws during this period.
Speaking after their stalemate with the Team of Choice, Manousakis singled out Mpho Mathebula’s performance and described the midfielder as being one of the most ‘accomplished’ he has seen in a while.
“Mpho Mathebula is a genius, he is an absolute genius and a gem,” said Manousakis.
“He’s one of the finest for the season and there are many others in this team. But this kid is unbelievable.
“One of the most accomplished midfielders I’ve seen for a long time.
“And you got to remember I worked with Teko at Cape Town City. There’s a few elements of that inside him.
“Not just his technical ability but his ability to read the game. He’s phenomenal, I love that kid, all of them but this boy is very special.”
“We did a lot of work on the opposition, prepared and put in on a lot of hours to make sure the performance was good. We beat a very good side with a lot of Algerian internationals.”
With Manousakis labelling the midfielder as one of the best in the country, Mathebula will no doubt head into the next game with confidence. In facing a highly competitive Downs midfield department, Mathebula’s ability to dictate proceedings in the middle of the park will be crucial if the Natal Rich Boys want a positive result.
Having been on the bench in Downs CAF Champions League tie, the South American could be summoned into action against Richards Bay. Gaston Sirino remains one of the best midfielders in the country and has the quality to be the difference against any opposition.