Absa Premiership: Mamelodi Sundowns v Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 23 January 2014
Time: 19:30
Venue: Loftus Stadium
Mamelodi Sundowns will welcome Kaizer Chiefs at home in their first league game in 2014 at Loftus Stadium, with the visitors leading the hosts by five points. This is a game that Pitso Mosimane's charges will want to win to close the gap, and on the other hand, Stuart Baxter's men will aim to resume their second round PSL campaign with a win and eventually defend their PSL title in the long run. This is undoubtedly one of the thrilling games in the league early on in the year although it will not be the ultimate title decider.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS:
Averages per game for the season:
Shots on goal: 17
Entries into final third: 69.5
Successful passes: 387.6
Possession: 54%
Successful tackles: 27.2
Last three results:
Mamelodi Sundowns 2-2 Maritzburg United (Mashego 10’, Billat 90’ + 2)
SuperSport United 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns (Mashego 47’)
Mpumalanga Black Aces 1-0 Mamelodi Sundowns
Key performers:
Defender: Rashid Sumaila, 3.8 tackles per game
Midfielder: Teko Modise, 58.2 passes per game
Forward/Striker: Cuthbert Malajila, 2.9 shots per game
Top goal scorer:
Katlego Mashego (6)
Top assists:
Khama Billiat (7)
KAIZER CHIEFS:
Averages per game for the season:
Shots on goal: 17.7
Entries into final third: 72
Successful passes: 383
Possession: 53.1%
Successful tackles: 22.8
Last three results:
AmaZulu 1-4 Kaizer Chiefs (Nkosi 61’, 86’, Musona 61’, Parker 80’)
Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 University of Pretoria (6’)
Kaizer Chiefs 4-1 Polokwane City (Mathoho 5’, Nkhatha 26’, Parker 32’, 60’)
Key performers:
Defender: Tsepo Masilela 2,8 tackles
Midfielder: Reneilwe Letsholonyane 55.6 passes per game
Striker: Knowledge Musona, 4 shots per game
Top goal scorer:
Bernard Parker (9)
Top assists:
Bernard Parker (10)
Key Stats:
Stats reveal that this will be a tough game as both sides have better shots at goal, the Brazilians have (17) while Amakhosi have (17.7). Although stats do not count a lot in such games, the game will be an open one as stats suggest that Sundowns have (387.6) successful passes compared to Chiefs with (383). Bernard Parker (8) is on form and will aim to score to increase his tally, with his Bafana teammate, Katlego Mashego (6) also looking to be on the score sheet.
