3 February 2011
Round 19 of the Absa Premiership sees some interesting fixtures in place this weekend and includes a Soweto derby and a top of the table verse bottom of the log clash, to mention but a few interesting matches.
The weekends action kicks-off in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon when Ajax host three time defending PSL champions SuperSport United. It has been one of the worst title defences in history as United currently languish in 12th spot on the table.
The side from Tshwane will surely be looking to get back to winning ways after losing 2-1 to Wits in their last league match, but they will face some stiff opposition in Ajax who are in the hunt for the title, presently sitting fourth on the log.
The two other afternoon matches on Saturday sees Free State Stars hosting Golden Arrows and Platinum Stars travelling to Durban to face AmaZulu.
Arrows will be keen to bounce back after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs in midweek, while Free State will come into the game inspired after fighting from three goals down against Santos to earn a well deserved draw in their midweek league match.
For AmaZulu, with one of the worst defensive records in the league (conceded 28 goals), they will try and keep a confident Platinum Stars at bay, one Bradley Grobler in particular. Grobler comes into this match off the back of a hat-trick that he scored in his sides 3-1 win over Aces.
On Saturday night one of the picks of the weekend will see Kaizer Chiefs hosting Moroka Swallows in a Soweto derby. Local derbies between the two are always heated affairs, but much more lies on the line this time round.
Swallows are second from bottom on the log and are coming into this game off the back of three successive defeats. The Dube Birds, up against one of their oldest rivals, will give everything to cause an upset. For Chiefs, they cannot afford to drop points in the title race as they are presently two points behind the league leaders.
The last game on Saturday is an interesting clash between Maritzburg United and Bloemfontein Celtic. A win for Celtic could see them into the top five while a win for Maritzburg (14th place) could see them up to 12th spot and further away from the relegation zone.
Sundays action gets underway in Tshwane as Mamelodi Sundowns host Santos. The Brazilians will go into this match full of confidence after getting back to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Swallows in their last league outing. Santos, on the other hand, will doubt themselves a little after throwing away a three goal lead in midweek only to get a draw.
Elsewhere, BidVest Wits will host Vasco da Gama. The Students recently ended a nine game winless streak with a 2-1 win over SuperSport United in midweek and will be hoping for second consecutive win over PSL rookies Vasco.
The last game of the weekend sees bottom of the table Aces hosting league leaders Orlando Pirates. Obviously, both teams are desperate for the points, but for totally different reasons. Aces are in dire need of points in order to try and get out of the relegation zone, while Pirates will want to maintain their lead atop the league standings.
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