Chippa United and Maritzburg United will both target three valuable Absa Premiership points when they meet at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday evening, kick-off at 7.30pm.

Chippa played to a fourth successive draw in the league when they held in-form Golden Arrows 1-1 in Durban on September 30. However, the Eastern Cape side will feel they let two points slip after leading in the match through Katlego Mashego.

The Chilli Boys have had mixed results at home thus far in the 2017/18 season, recording one win, one draw and one loss from three turns as hosts. Their only victory was back in August when they defeated AmaZulu 2-0.

Maritzburg suffered a second successive loss and saw their winless streak in the league stretched to four matches when they were beaten 1-0 at home by Free State Stars on September 29. The KwaZulu-Natal side conceded a goal to Sinethemba Jantjie and failed to score for the third match on the bounce.

The Team of Choice is unbeaten away from home this season, having recorded a win at Platinum Stars in the opening round and a draw at AmaZulu last month.

Previous starting XI

Chippa’s line-up from their 1-1 draw with Arrows on September 30: Akpeyi, Mako, Konqobe, Okwuosa, Zuke, Maphanga, Mabaso (Mdlinzo 52'), Mashego (Makudubela 75'), Lentjies, Sekola (Manzini 60'), Macheke.

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 1-0 loss to Free State Stars on September 29: Ofori, Xulu, Fransman, Weidlich, Makaringe (Kunene 46'), Maboe, Mekoa, Shandu, Atouba (Mokate 70'), Rusike, Fileccia (Saal 58').

Head-to-head

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2012/13 Chippa 0-1 Maritzburg Zulu

2012/13 Maritzburg 2-0 Chippa Mandaza, Malajila

2014/15 Maritzburg 3-0 Chippa Anas, Vilakazi, Van Wyk

2014/15 Chippa 1-1 Maritzburg Akpabio; Mandaza

2015/16 Maritzburg 0-2 Chippa Bance, Mayambela

2015/16 Chippa 2-2 Maritzburg Mbenyane, Malongoane; Zulu, Rusike

2016/17 Maritzburg 1-1 Chippa Mekoa; Lorch

2016/17 Chippa 2-3 Maritzburg Sekome, Mbokoma; Mokate, Lentjies (pen), Fileccia

LEAGUE RECORD (since 2012/13)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Chippa 4 0 2 2 5 7

Maritzburg 4 2 1 1 6 3

Away

P W D L GF GA

Chippa 4 1 1 2 3 6

Maritzburg 4 2 2 0 7 5

Total

P W D L GF GA

Chippa 8 1 3 4 8 13

Maritzburg 8 4 3 1 13 8

What the teams are saying

Chippa United coach Teboho Moloi:

"I'm not worried about that I haven't won since I came here, as long as I don't lose.

"They [Chippa] used to be hammered. Now we are playing the same type of football going forward and doing the right things and not conceding the three points.

“It is very important to keep that point because when the game starts you've got the point in your hand and why give it away?

"Rather fight for the two points that you don't have, but the point you have keep it in your hand, because those points come in handy when you look for other points."

Maritzburg United coach Fadlu Davids:

"We have to take it [the loss to Stars] on the chin. These games come where you have three, four of your crucial players not really in [form].

"It happens. If one player does not have a good game then you need the others to step up if nobody is really taking charge, feeling the game.

"Then of course it's better to try and grind the result, to try to keep it 0-0 or score a goal if you can.

"If you look at it objectively, we played Chiefs, we played Pirates, and we had fantastic performances. All our performances until [the Stars game] have been good. Realistically we have been really good. Now it’s a case of reset.

"I take it as one bad performance, which we have to correct. I can accept that out of eight games, we had one bad game. Let's move on, let's work on it."

Key players for Chippa United

Katlego Mashego - Chippa have struggled for goals this season (just five scored in seven league matches) and the experience of veteran striker Katlego Mashego will need to come to the fore. The 35-year-old scored a fine goal last time out for the Chilli Boys and will need to keep up that kind of inspirational form.

Mark Mayambela - Chippa’s stylish playmaker is set to return from a calf injury he sustained against Platinum Stars a month ago. The 30-year-old has the skills and charisma to guide the Chilli Boys to a league win this midweek.

Key players for Maritzburg United

Deolin Mekoa - After a couple of disappointing results, Maritzburg need their big-name players to step up and drag the team back to winning form. The versatile attacker Deolin Meko is one such player coach Fadlu Davids will expect more from heading into this clash with Chippa United.

Bevan Fransman - The experienced centre-back is a natural leader in the Team of Choice line-up and will look to steer the side to a strong performance against Chippa. Fransman’s experience, composure and defensive nous will need to be on full display in this midweek clash.

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