HAPLESS Free State Stars have been on a freefall down the PSL table over the past few months and run the risk of crashing out of top-flight football at the end of the season.

Precariously placed second from the bottom on the 16-team standings, Stars have the look of a club in trouble and could be easy pickings for visitors Platinum Stars at Goble Park Stadium tomorrow.

Kickoff is at 3.30pm.

Coach Kinnah Phiri has failed to stop the rot since taking over from the sacked Tom Sainfeit. The Belgian was fired last month after a string of poor results. Now Ea Lla Koto could be headed for a far worse fate if they do not halt the decline.

Phiri said while he would have been satisfied had they collected 20 points before the annual Christmas break, he is still optimistic that the team could still turn the corner.

Stars have accumulated just 15 points.

"So getting three points on Saturday [tomorrow] is not negotiable. This is a must-win game for us," said Phiri yesterday.

"We targeted over 20 points at this stage in the season, but it hasn't worked out. But we feel that if we can get these three points, things will be better for us."

A run of victorious could turn things around for Stars, which could make tomorrow's results all more crucial for the hosts.

Dikwena have drawn their last three matches, with their last victory coming against Moroka Swallows in a 1-0 triumph early this month.

Hitmen Eleazar Rodgers and Ndumiso Mabena will pose a threat for the hosts and Stars will need to tread very carefully against a side that is capable to switching on the heat when it wants to.