Absa Premiership Round 21 – Free State Stars vs Orlando Pirates
Date: 4 March 2015
Time: 19:30
Venue: Charles Mopeli Stadium
Free State Stars find themselves in the same precarious situation as last season as they seek to fight for survival in top-flight football. Following a 0-0 stalemate in their last league clash against Maritzburg United, Ea Lla Koto face another stern test when they host the high-flying Orlando Pirates at the Charles Mopeli Stadium. The Buccaneers have picked up five straight wins a row in all competitions and will aim to extend that streak with their visit to Bethlehem.
FREE STATE STARS:
Averages per game for 2014-15 season:
Shots on goal: 13.82
Entries into final third: 72.91
Successful passes: 122.64
Possession: 40.75%
Tackles: 25.09
Recent results:
Maritzburg United 0-0 Free State Stars
Bidvest Wits 0-0 Free State Stars
Free State Stars 1-1 University of Pretoria (Venter 32’)
Key performers:
Defender (most tackles): Angula Da Costa, 2.57 tackles per game
Midfielder (most passes): Paulus Masehe, 26.6 passes per game
Forward/Striker (most shots): Moeketsi Sekola, 4.7 shots per game
Top goal scorer (all competitions):
Moeketsi Sekola (8) (8 PSL)
Top assists (all competitions):
Danny Venter (4) (4 PSL)
ORLANDO PIRATES:
Averages per game for 2014-15 season:
Shots on goal: 15.32
Entries into final third: 68.54
Successful passes: 372.45
Possession: 55%
Tackles: 23.10
Recent results:
Orlando Pirates 3-1 Polokwane City (Makola 2’ ; Erasmus 39’ ; Manyisa 42’)
Orlando Pirates 4-0 Tornado FC (Bacela 7’ ; Ntshumayelo 24’, 73’ ; Myeni 87’)
Platinum Stars 0-2 Orlando Pirates (Majoro 45’ ; Bacela 90’)
Key performers:
Defender (most tackles): Patrick Phungwayo, 2.90 tackles per game
Midfielder (most passes): Oupa Manyisa, 51.5 passes per game
Forward/Striker (most shots): Kermit Erasmus, 2.53 shots per game
Top goal scorer (all competitions):
Lehlohonolo Majoro (11) (8 PSL) (1 TKO) (2 MTN 8)
Top assists (all competitions):
Thabo Matlaba (6) (6 PSL)
Key Stats:
Kinnah Phiri’s side have made more entries into the final third (72.91) compared to the visitors who only have 68.54. This could pose a serious threat for the Parktown outfit's defence, however with Eric Tinkler’s side dominating with the rest of the stats, this could see them record yet another victory away from home.
