Platinum Stars will lock horns with Chippa United in an Absa Premiership match at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 8:15pm.

Dikwena continued their poor start to the 2017/18 season with a 2-0 defeat to SuperSport United in a league match at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday.

This was Stars' third defeat and they remain 16th on the league standings without a single point from three matches. They are only a point behind 14th-placed Bidvest Wits.

Meanwhile, Chippa suffered their second league defeat of the season when they lost 3-1 to Baroka FC in a league game at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Tuesday.

Katlego Mashego netted for the Chilli Boys, who are now placed 12th on the league table with three points from three games. They are three points behind sixth-placed SuperSport.

Former Orlando Pirates assistant coach Teboho Moloi has since been appointed Chippa caretaker coach after the club parted ways with Dan Malesela.

Possible starting line-ups:

Platinum Stars: Mzimela, Mabule, Mwedihanga, Mlilo, Zulu, Mkhabela, Mere, Mbatha, Ng'ambi, Kunene, Ntuli.

Chippa United: Mhlongo, Thopola, Macheke, Okwuosa, Mako, Mabaso, Zuku, Lentjies, Mayambela, Mashego, Sekola.

Head-to-Head

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2012/13 Chippa 2-1 Stars Cohen, Mbenyane; Moonsamy (og)

2012/13 Stars 1-1 Chippa Ng’ambi; Mbenyane

2014/15 Chippa 2-0 Stars Mbenyane, D. Zulu

2014/15 Stars 0-0 Chippa

2015/16 Stars 3-2 Chippa Gumede, Madubanya, Ntuli; Chipeta 2

2015/16 Chippa 4-1 Stars Mbenyane, L. Manzini 3; Ng’ambi

2016/17 Chippa 1-1 Stars Lorch; Ng’ambi

2016/17 Stars 2-1 Chippa Ng’ambi, Shilongo ; L. Manzini

LEAGUE RECORD (since 2012/13)

Home P W D L GF GA

Stars 4 2 2 0 6 4

Chippa 4 3 1 0 9 3

Away P W D L GF GA

Stars 4 0 1 3 3 9

Chippa 4 0 2 2 4 6

Total P W D L GF GA

Stars 8 2 3 3 9 13

Chippa 8 3 3 2 13 9

What are the teams saying

Platinum Stars captain Vuyo Mere:

“It is up to the senior players to pull their weight‚ come to the party and keep on motivating the younger players so that we get out of the situation that we find ourselves in‚” he said.

“We are not burying the chances that we create but we can’t blame the strikers only because there are other areas where we must improve.”

Chippa United coach Teboho Moloi:

''The fact that we are based in Port Elizabeth means that we have to travel more than other teams. Chippa United play more or less the kind of football that I like we just need to fix few aspects on their game," he said.

"If you play football the end result is scoring and winning football matches. It is nice when you play but without goals you are same as a boxer that runs around the ring without throwing real punches to hurt the opponent. We must instil winning mentality to these players."

Platinum Stars key players

Vuyo Mere: The experienced defensive player remains one of Dikwena's most important players due to his ability to play well in defence and midfield. The Stars captain will be eager to ensure that his side record their first win of the season against Chippa.

Robert N'gambi: The Malawian international is the link between Stars' midfield and attack and he has flourished in this position down the years. The veteran playmaker will be keen to produce a good display against the Chilli Boys and help his side win.

Chippa United key players

James Okwuosa: The Nigerian international remains a leader in the Chilli Boys backline and a reliable defender. The towering player will be looking to ensure that his side keep a clean sheet against Dikwena after conceding three goals against Baroka.

Katlego Mashego: The veteran forward's confidence has been boosted after scoring against during Chippa's previous league match. The lethal striker will be hoping to score again and help his side return to winning ways against Stars.