Sundowns look to end 2017 on a high

Mamelodi Sundowns will look to end off 2017 with an even stronger grip on first place in the Absa Premiership when they host Cape Town City at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on 19 December, kick-off at 19h30.

Sundowns have put together a seven-match unbeaten run in which they have claimed 19 points from a possible 21 to power to the top of the log. Arguably their best performance in the sequence arrived in their last outing, a 4-1 home thrashing of Bloemfontein Celtic on December 16.

The Brazilians have a 50-50 record at home this season, with three wins and three defeats from six matches. However, their last three turns as hosts have brought them a hat-trick of victories with an aggregate score of 9-1.

City ended a four-match winless streak in the league by defeating AmaZulu 1-0 at home on December 15, with Roland Putsche scoring the goal. Despite the victory, the Cape side have taken just nine points from a possible 24 since the start of October.

The Citizens have been unpredictable away from home this season, with two wins, two draws and two defeats from their six matches on the road. Their last two away matches have produced draws against Golden Arrows (in which they fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2) and SuperSport United (in which they conceded a late equaliser to be held 1-1).

In head-to-head stats, Sundowns and City have met in just two previous league matches. Both encounters took place last season, with the Citizens claiming a league ‘double’ over ‘Downs by winning 2-1 in Tshwane and 1-0 in Cape Town – all three of their goals were scored by Lebogang Manyama.

Form and Fixtures

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS

Season league results (most recent first): WWWWDWWLLWWLW

Next five league fixtures: Polokwane City (A), Ajax Cape Town (A), Orlando Pirates (H), Platinum Stars (H), Kaizer Chiefs (A)

CAPE TOWN CITY

Season league results (most recent first): WDLDDWLLWWLLWW

Next five league fixtures: Platinum Stars (A), Free State Stars (A), Ajax Cape Town (H), Bloemfontein Celtic (A), Mamelodi Sundowns (H)

Head-to-Head

ALL-LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2016/17 Sundowns 1-2 CTC Nthethe; Manyama 2

2016/17 CTC 1-0 Sundowns Manyama

LEAGUE RECORD (since 2016/17)

Home

| P | W | D | L | GF | GA
Sundowns | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2
CTC | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0

Away

| P | W | D | L | GF | GA
Sundowns | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1
CTC | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1

Total

| P | W | D | L | GF | GA
Sundowns | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3
CTC | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1