Kaizer Chiefs will entertain the University of Pretoria at the FNB Stadium in an Absa Premiership match on Monday evening, kick-off at 20h15.

Chiefs racked up a third straight league victory when they beat Free State Stars 2-0 away from home in late November.

The Soweto giants are unbeaten at home this season, with four wins and two draws from six matches.

The Amakhosi are placed second on the Absa Premiership log with 21 points from 11 matches.

If they win their game against Tuks and log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns lose their derby match against SuperSport United on the same day, Chiefs will assume first place on the standings.

Their coach Stuart Baxter is hoping that his charges will respond well after the gap in the fixtures due to the passing away of former president Nelson Mandela.

“We have been working hard in the past few days. Obviously we are affected by the current affairs as everybody else. The loss of Madiba has been emotional for everybody,” said the 2012/13 Absa Premiership winning coach.

“We will see how the players respond on Monday. The players are trying their best to focus on their job in the process of mourning the loss and celebrating Madiba’s legacy.

“I am glad fullback Tsepo Masilela is back in full training ahead of the tight schedule in the next week.

“Midfielder George Lebese, who missed training on Wednesday due to a foot injury, was back in full training. Lucky Baloyi is still recovering from the knee injury.”

University of Pretoria recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season with home victories over AmaZulu (2-0) and Free State Stars (3-1).

The Tshwane side has picked up just one point in five away matches so far this season and is yet to score on the road.

AmaTuks are placed 10th on the Absa Premiership log with 14 points from 12 matches.

AmaTuks player Tebogo Monyai says that they need no motivating facing a team of Chiefs’ reputation.

“Every team is extremely motivated when they play against teams like Chiefs especially when you play in their backyard,” said Monyai.

“They have beaten us in the quarterfinals of the MTN8 already this season and we beat them in the last game last season which makes for a very interesting match.

“We don’t mind the fact that we have had a break in the fixture last after our game against Free State Stars because we are used to having breaks in the fixture list which have been for about two to three weeks this season.”