Black Leopards will on Saturday afternoon be fighting for their football lives when they travel to Bethlehem to take on Free State Stars in a crucial Absa Premiership match at Goble Park, kick-off is at 3pm.

Leopards are looking to avoid direct relegation to the First Division, but even a victory will not be enough if Chippa United win their concurrent match against AmaZulu.

The Limpopo side has won just twice away from home this season, suffering eight defeats in the process. Lidoda Duvha are placed 16th on the Absa Premiership log with 23 points from 29 matches.

Leopards captain Mongezi Bobe, who has been through the highs and lows with Lidoda Duvha in his career, says that he will lead out a determined side that is prepared to shed blood, sweat and tears on the field come this Saturday.

“This is a must win game for us!” said a determined Bobe.

“It is a do or die match and we know how much is at stake in this match because our whole season basically depends on what will happen on Saturday.

“We are hoping that Chippa will drop points in their match because now it is out of our hands and things have not gone our way this season.”

Ea Lla played to a 2-2 draw at regional rivals Bloemfontein Celtic last weekend to complete their away fixtures for the season. The Free State side has recorded six wins, six draws and suffered just two defeats from their 14 home matches this season.

They are placed ninth on the Absa Premiership log with 38 points from 29 matches but are tied on the same number of points with Mamelodi Sundowns who are occupying eighth spot.

Stars player Noah Chivuta is adamant that his side can finish in the top eight if ‘Downs drop points.

“We need to win this match, I know Leopards have relegation worries and are fighting for survival but we need to finish in the top eight,” said Chivuta.

“We will approach this match like all our matches before and hopefully a positive result will come our way.

“We have been rocked by injuries at crucial parts of the season in this season but we have been inside the top eight for most part of the season and it will be crucial for us if we were to miss out.”

Stars have an unbeaten home record against Leopards, with two wins and two draws from four matches.

When the teams met earlier this season, Ea Lla Koto won 2-1 in Limpopo thanks to goals from Coldrin Coetzee and Thapelo Mkhatshwa.