Linda Moreotsene

Linda Moreotsene

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Michael Manzini has quietly returned to the club's starting line up, and the Tshwane derby tonight, which tends to be a bad-tempered affair, is just the stage for him to showcase his influence in the camp.

Downs welcome SuperSport United tonight at Super Stadium in Atteridgeville in a fascinating encounter of two sides perched at the top of the league table. Kick-off is at 7.30pm and the game will be screened live on SuperSport 4.

As far as United are concerned, it's unfinished business since the Brazilians pipped them to the MTN 8 finals in August.

Manzini reckons United have the Absa Premiership title within their sights and will do all they can to stay at the top

"Look, they have the championship, and they want to ensure victory in this match, which should ease the pressure off them.

"If we win, it will make things on the log table very, very interesting, and coming from a good win away from home in Mauritius, I can tell you we are in no mood to get beaten at home," said Manzini.

United would also be hoping that one of their former employees, Katlego Mphela, does not plot their downfall the same way that Teko Modise and Katlego Mashego did two weeks ago.

Surprise Moriri would also be a constant threat for Bongani Khumalo and Morgan Gould.

Former Downs midfielder Brent Carelse is confident they have overcome whatever issues that led to them to lose in Uganda last Friday.

For him, losing to Downs would be disastrous.

"We know what went wrong. It is important that we win every game that comes along, including this one. Fact is, teams are hoping that we lose tonight and we cannot allow that," he said.