Sundowns look to keep up strong form

Mamelodi Sundowns will look to keep up their strong form in the Absa Premiership when they host Free State Stars at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on 21 February 2018, kick-off at 19h30 CAT.

Sundowns claimed their 12th win of the season when they defeated Cape Town City 1-0 away from home on February 2. The Tshwane side has picked up seven points from the last nine up for grabs and kept three successive clean sheets in the process.

The Brazilians have claimed just 12 points from nine home matches this season, though their last game as hosts saw them claim a 3-0 win over Platinum Stars last month.

South Africa’s Sundowns striker Percy Tau vies with Tunisia’s Esperance of Tunis forward Foussiny Coulibaly (L) during the African Champions League (CAF) group stage football match on June 22, 2017 in olympic Rades Stadium near Tunis. / AFP PHOTO / SALAH HABIBI (Photo credit should read SALAH HABIBI/AFP/Getty Images)

Stars have also enjoyed a strong run of form in recent weeks. Their 2-0 home win over Baroka FC on February 3 was their sixth victory in the space of nine league matches, a sequence which has brought them 19 points from a possible 27.

Ea Lla Koto have claimed just 11 points from nine away matches this season, though their last two games on the road have brought them a victory at Bidvest Wist at the start of the year and a goalless draw away to Ajax Cape Town at the end of last month.

In head-to-head stats, Stars and Sundowns have met in 56 league matches since 1986. The Tshwane side has claimed 29 wins compared to 10 for their Free State rivals, while 17 matches have ended in draws. The Brazilians have won 17 of 28 home matches in the rivalry, suffering just three defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, ‘Downs claimed a 2-1 away win in the Free State thanks to a brace
goals from striker Percy Tau. It was the Brazilians’ 10th successive league win over Ea Lla Koto.

Form and Fixtures

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS

Season league results (most recent first): WDWLWLLWWWWDWWLLWWLW

Next five league fixtures: SuperSport United (H), AmaZulu (A), Chippa United (H), Baroka FC (A), Golden Arrows (H)

FREE STATE STARS

Season league results (most recent first): WDLWWWWLWDDLDWWWLLDL
Next five league fixtures: AmaZulu (H), Platinum Stars (A), Chippa United (A), Kaizer Chiefs (H), Golden Arrows (A)

Head-to-Head – LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers
2012/13 Sundowns 2-1 Stars Mushekwi 2; Cardoso
2013/14 Sundowns 2-1 Stars Malajila, Moriri; Abraw
2013/14 Stars 1-2 Sundowns Sekola; Laffor, Wome
2014/15 Sundowns 2-0 Stars Malajila, Billiat
2014/15 Stars 0-2 Sundowns Malajila, Billiat
2015/16 Sundowns 3-1 Stars Billiat, T. Zwane, Kekana; Fileccia
2015/16 Stars 2-5 Sundowns Venter, Mashego; Arendse, Dolly, Castro, Billiat, Ngele
2016/17 Sundowns 4-1 Stars Billiat, Tau 2, Dolly; Sekotlong
2016/17 Stars 0-1 Sundowns Madisha
2017/18 Stars 1-2 Sundowns Vilakazi; Tau 2

LEAGUE RECORD (since 1986)

Home

P W D L GF GA
Sundowns 28 17 8 3 47 22
Stars 28 7 9 12 29 38

Away

P W D L GF GA
Sundowns 28 12 9 7 38 29
Stars 28 3 8 17 22 47

Total

P W D L GF GA
Sundowns 56 29 17 10 85 51
Stars 56 10 17 29 51 85