An embarrassing five-goal pasting last season and elimination from the MTN8 in August make Bloemfontein Celtic an increasing irritant for Mamelodi Sundowns and a vivid reminder of the pitfalls of PSL competition.
But even if Sundowns had their title hopes derailed at Loftus Versfeld last April in a shock 5-0 home defeat by Celtic they can point to the fact they have won on each of their last three trips to Bloemfontein.
It is this statistic, rather than a reminder of the last two encounters between the two clubs, that Downs coach Pitso Mosimane will want to remind his players of as he welcomes Teko Modise back to the midfield after his recent eye infection.
It is the first game for the Brazilians since October 3, when they beat Chippa United 2-0 in the first round of the Telkom Knockout.
In that match Tebogo Langerman and Cuthbert Malajila were both injured, but while Langerman has recovered from a knock on the hip, Malajila is still battling with a knee problem and will miss out on the trip. It means Mosimane has to switch around his attack and might be tempted to reintroduce Burundi international striker Fiston Abdul Razak, who scored three goals in World Cup qualifiers during their recent international break.
Celtic coach Clinton Larsen could be tempted to bring back Frank "Gabadinho" Mhango, who has recovered from a double groin operation, after criticising his strikers following Saturday's goalless draw at Lamontville Golden Arrows in the only league match at the weekend.
Larsen was particularly upset with the choices made by his forwards: "The decision-making has been dreadful and that's what frustrates us as coaches the most. When you should be shooting, we're passing, when you should be passing you're trying to shoot. I just think players need to remain a little bit calmer around the box . they get a little bit anxious and make strange decisions."
l Ajax Cape Town have Nathan Paulse back from injury to lead their attack against AmaTuks at Athlone Stadium, but goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola sits out the first match of a two-game suspension after a red card at the start of the month.
Both matches will kick off at 7.30pm.
Why Sundowns won't fear Bloem trip
An embarrassing five-goal pasting last season and elimination from the MTN8 in August make Bloemfontein Celtic an increasing irritant for Mamelodi Sundowns and a vivid reminder of the pitfalls of PSL competition.
But even if Sundowns had their title hopes derailed at Loftus Versfeld last April in a shock 5-0 home defeat by Celtic they can point to the fact they have won on each of their last three trips to Bloemfontein.
It is this statistic, rather than a reminder of the last two encounters between the two clubs, that Downs coach Pitso Mosimane will want to remind his players of as he welcomes Teko Modise back to the midfield after his recent eye infection.
It is the first game for the Brazilians since October 3, when they beat Chippa United 2-0 in the first round of the Telkom Knockout.
In that match Tebogo Langerman and Cuthbert Malajila were both injured, but while Langerman has recovered from a knock on the hip, Malajila is still battling with a knee problem and will miss out on the trip. It means Mosimane has to switch around his attack and might be tempted to reintroduce Burundi international striker Fiston Abdul Razak, who scored three goals in World Cup qualifiers during their recent international break.
Celtic coach Clinton Larsen could be tempted to bring back Frank "Gabadinho" Mhango, who has recovered from a double groin operation, after criticising his strikers following Saturday's goalless draw at Lamontville Golden Arrows in the only league match at the weekend.
Larsen was particularly upset with the choices made by his forwards: "The decision-making has been dreadful and that's what frustrates us as coaches the most. When you should be shooting, we're passing, when you should be passing you're trying to shoot. I just think players need to remain a little bit calmer around the box . they get a little bit anxious and make strange decisions."
l Ajax Cape Town have Nathan Paulse back from injury to lead their attack against AmaTuks at Athlone Stadium, but goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola sits out the first match of a two-game suspension after a red card at the start of the month.
Both matches will kick off at 7.30pm.
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