BOTH sides are now out of contention for the Telkom Knockout Cup, but Bloemfontein Celtic and Moroka Swallows will be eager to place focus on winning ways in the Absa Premiership as they square up against each other tonight.
Celtic will be at home at the Free State Stadium at 7.30 tonight, their first contest under new coach Ernst Middendorp and his assistant Lehlohonolo Seema, who replaced Clinton Larsen and Boebie Solomons - who joined Maritzburg United and Polokwane City, respectively.
The new Phunya SeleSele coaching duo will be up against a Swallows side which have enjoyed relative success in the league so far.
The Dube Birds have enjoyed a satisfactory run in the premiership, currently occupying the third spot on the log following three wins, two draws and one defeat - and are level on 11 points with four other teams which make up the top-five log spots. Zeca Marques' men were knocked out in the quarterfinals of the Telkom Knockout after pushing SuperSport United all the way to extra-time.
Now the Dube Birds will be hoping to get back to winning ways and continue their good run in the league.
Crucial in their armory will be their top goal-scorer Edward Manqele, who currently jointly leads the league's goal-scoring charts.
On the flip side, a big loss for Swallows is that of their experienced captain Lefa Tsutsulupa, with over 300 appearances for the side, who is out with a knee injury sustained against Matsatsantsa.
Given the records of both sides from their previous meetings this season, Swallows, with their in-form players in Manqele, Lerato Chabangu and Siyabonga Nomvethe, should walk away with the three points in Bloemfontein. However, with a new coaching staff and a new vision, history counts for nought.
Dube Birds tipped to fly over Celtic tonight
BOTH sides are now out of contention for the Telkom Knockout Cup, but Bloemfontein Celtic and Moroka Swallows will be eager to place focus on winning ways in the Absa Premiership as they square up against each other tonight.
Celtic will be at home at the Free State Stadium at 7.30 tonight, their first contest under new coach Ernst Middendorp and his assistant Lehlohonolo Seema, who replaced Clinton Larsen and Boebie Solomons - who joined Maritzburg United and Polokwane City, respectively.
The new Phunya SeleSele coaching duo will be up against a Swallows side which have enjoyed relative success in the league so far.
The Dube Birds have enjoyed a satisfactory run in the premiership, currently occupying the third spot on the log following three wins, two draws and one defeat - and are level on 11 points with four other teams which make up the top-five log spots. Zeca Marques' men were knocked out in the quarterfinals of the Telkom Knockout after pushing SuperSport United all the way to extra-time.
Now the Dube Birds will be hoping to get back to winning ways and continue their good run in the league.
Crucial in their armory will be their top goal-scorer Edward Manqele, who currently jointly leads the league's goal-scoring charts.
On the flip side, a big loss for Swallows is that of their experienced captain Lefa Tsutsulupa, with over 300 appearances for the side, who is out with a knee injury sustained against Matsatsantsa.
Given the records of both sides from their previous meetings this season, Swallows, with their in-form players in Manqele, Lerato Chabangu and Siyabonga Nomvethe, should walk away with the three points in Bloemfontein. However, with a new coaching staff and a new vision, history counts for nought.