Mamelodi Sundowns are set to come up against Orlando Pirates in a crunch tie on Monday.
Both teams have everything to play for with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) title race reaching its business end and the teams firmly in contention.
Masandawana though are favourites on paper. Not only are they three points ahead of Bucs but with the quality that Sundowns possess within their ranks, they are clear favourites.
Sundowns have also shown great consistency this season. The Tshwane giants have lost just two games this season and look strong heading into the title run-in.
Consistency and experience are the order of the day, and this might work against Orlando Pirates, who are determined to end a trophy barren drought. But Sundowns have the ball in their own court as even a draw will continue to see them thrive.
Thus, the encounter is more of a must-win for Pirates while for Sundowns it’s a must not lose affair.
Pirates will have to throw everything against Pitso Mosimane’s side, but once again it is the Brazilians who emerge as favourites.
Pirates have won just one of their last five games against Sundowns although Milutin Sredojevic’s men are undefeated in their last two games – winning one and drawing the other.
This will come as a massive confidence booster for Micho’s men, who knows that with time running out in the season, there is no better time than now to move up a gear.
Failure to do so will see his side’s title aspirations go up in smoke which puts a lot of pressure on the Pirates players.
This is another hindering fixture heading into this game and Pirates have not shown their ‘big match temperament’ in the past.
Against Horoya in the Caf Champions League where the Sea Robbers needed a win, Pirates failed to live up to expectations as they bowed out of the tournament.
Nonetheless, they will need to show greater sturdiness and resoluteness if they are to overcome Sundowns, but one positive that they will have is that they will be boosted by the home support, but this could mean little if Sundowns are allowed to be on the front foot from the word go.