Absa Premiership: Orlando Pirates vs Moroka Swallows
Date: 9 August 2014
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Orlando Pirates host Moroka Swallows in their opening Absa Premiership match of the season on Saturday evening at Orlando Stadium.
Pirates, will be looking for good start in the 'original Soweto derby' against a Swallows team who struggled last season.
ORLANDO PIRATES:
Averages per game for 2013-14 season:
Shots on goal: 5.56
Entries into final third: 69.8
Successful passes: 348.98
Possession: 53.9
Successful tackles: 25.61
Last three results:
N/A
Key performers last season
Defender: Happy Jele 3.55 tackles per game
Midfielder: Lehlohonolo Masalesa 41.53 passes per game
Forward/Striker: Kermit Erasmus 2.63 shots per game
Top goal scorer last season
Lennox Bacela (12)
Top assists last season
Daine Klate (7)
MOROKA SWALLOWS:
Averages per game for 2013-14 season:
Shots on goal: 4.21
Entries into final third: 78.04
Successful passes: 256.96
Possession: 48.9
Successful tackles: 27.04
Last three results:
N/A
Key performers last season
Defender: Luvhengo Mungomeni 3.53 tackles per game
Midfielder: Lefa Tsutsulupa 36.2 passes per game
Forward/Striker: Siyabonga Nomvethe 2.46 shots per game
Top goal scorer last season:
Lerato Chabangu (6)
Top assists last season:
Lerato Chabangu (6)
Key Stats:
Statistically Pirates were by far the superior team last season, however Swallows did make on average more entries into the final third. But despite that stat, the Buccaneers averaged 5.56 shots on goal per game, compared to just 4.21 for the Birds. Last season Pirates played a lot of catch-up football, as they were competing in the African Champions League at the same time, and this time around they will be able to focus on getting their campaign off to a good start.
