An Absa Premiership weekend without league giants Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns can often make for as much fun as reading a tombstone.
But this weekend promises to provide thrills because of what is happening at the rear end of the table.
AmaZulu, whose season has unfolded like a protracted walk towards the gallows, face Free State Stars at Moses Mabhida Stadium in a relegation survival fight on Saturday.
You wouldn't think it, but AmaZulu do not have the worst defensive and offensive records in the league after 23 matches, despite being at the bottom of the log. Those badges of shame belong to Polokwane City and Chippa United, respectively. But a lot of their problems have stemmed from a chronic inabi-lity to get a lead and defend it.
It will be much harder for the hosts to pull that winning combination off with the threat of the league's joint top goal-scorer and Stars striker Moeketsi Sekola who has netted 10 times so far this season, hovering over them.
"We've done our homework and analysis on him [Sekola]," AmaZulu coach Steve Barker said.
Usuthu went through the whole of March unbeaten.
That is why three points on Saturday would bring them to within two points of Ea Lla Koto and Swallows, who are both on 22. From there, things will really turn into a party in the basement.
Stars, on the other hand, have not struggled as much to find goals this season, it's been keeping them out that has proven tough. Ea Lla Koto had a month to forget in March - losing to Sundowns and Swallows and drawing with Pirates.
At Harry Gwala Stadium, Maritzburg United face SuperSport United, a team they humiliated 4-1 in the reverse fixture at Lucas Moripe Stadium last year.
The other fixtures see Platinum Stars hosting Ajax Cape Town at Royal Bafokeng Stadium and Polokwane City welcoming Bidvest Wits.
On Sunday, Celtic will look to get over their 3-0 defeat to City last time out when they face University of Pretoria in Botshabelo.
Weekend's PSL fixtures
SATURDAY
Moses Mabhida: AmaZulu v FS Stars (3pm),
Harry Gwala: Maritzburg v Matsatsa-ntsa (3pm), Royal Bafokeng: Dikwena v Ajax (8.15pm), Peter Mokaba: City v Wits (8.15pm)
SUNDAY
Kaizer Sebothelo: Celtic v AmaTuks (3pm)
Usuthu hope to make foes see stars
An Absa Premiership weekend without league giants Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns can often make for as much fun as reading a tombstone.
But this weekend promises to provide thrills because of what is happening at the rear end of the table.
AmaZulu, whose season has unfolded like a protracted walk towards the gallows, face Free State Stars at Moses Mabhida Stadium in a relegation survival fight on Saturday.
You wouldn't think it, but AmaZulu do not have the worst defensive and offensive records in the league after 23 matches, despite being at the bottom of the log. Those badges of shame belong to Polokwane City and Chippa United, respectively. But a lot of their problems have stemmed from a chronic inabi-lity to get a lead and defend it.
It will be much harder for the hosts to pull that winning combination off with the threat of the league's joint top goal-scorer and Stars striker Moeketsi Sekola who has netted 10 times so far this season, hovering over them.
"We've done our homework and analysis on him [Sekola]," AmaZulu coach Steve Barker said.
Usuthu went through the whole of March unbeaten.
That is why three points on Saturday would bring them to within two points of Ea Lla Koto and Swallows, who are both on 22. From there, things will really turn into a party in the basement.
Stars, on the other hand, have not struggled as much to find goals this season, it's been keeping them out that has proven tough. Ea Lla Koto had a month to forget in March - losing to Sundowns and Swallows and drawing with Pirates.
At Harry Gwala Stadium, Maritzburg United face SuperSport United, a team they humiliated 4-1 in the reverse fixture at Lucas Moripe Stadium last year.
The other fixtures see Platinum Stars hosting Ajax Cape Town at Royal Bafokeng Stadium and Polokwane City welcoming Bidvest Wits.
On Sunday, Celtic will look to get over their 3-0 defeat to City last time out when they face University of Pretoria in Botshabelo.
Weekend's PSL fixtures
SATURDAY
Moses Mabhida: AmaZulu v FS Stars (3pm),
Harry Gwala: Maritzburg v Matsatsa-ntsa (3pm), Royal Bafokeng: Dikwena v Ajax (8.15pm), Peter Mokaba: City v Wits (8.15pm)
SUNDAY
Kaizer Sebothelo: Celtic v AmaTuks (3pm)
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos