Kaizer Chiefs are set to host Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium on Saturday in the first clash between two big three sides in the South African Premiership this season.
The last time two of South Africa's big three went head-to-head was on May 6 - a reverse fixture between these two at Loftus Versfeld. That scrappy 1-1 draw proved highly consequential, as Sundowns dropped two points and went on to lose the Premiership title race to the other big three team - Orlando Pirates - by one.
Sundowns redeemed themselves by sealing the CAF Champions League title. Chiefs were the only one of South Africa's three biggest clubs not to hoist any silverware last season. However, they are under a new regime after Fernando da Cruz was appointed head coach in the off-season.
Chiefs are top of the league after two wins from two games, but Sundowns have one in hand after a delayed start to their season following the tragic death of midfielder Jayden Adams on July 11.
Although they suffered a 1-0 defeat in the MTN8 quarter-finals to Golden Arrows, Chiefs are unblemished in the league after a 3-1 win over Kruger United and a 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United.
Sundowns got their season off to an entertaining start with a 3-2 win over Polokwane City after extra time in the MTN8 and a 3-2 win over TS Galaxy in the Premiership.
Key details
Date: Saturday, August 15 at 3 p.m. CAT
Venue: FNB Stadium
How to watch: The match will air on SuperSport's DSTV channel 202. ESPN will provide blow-by-blow live updates on our website
Team news
Teboho Mokoena missed the league game against TS Galaxy after picking up an injury in the MTN8 win over Polokwane City.
Sundowns boss Miguel Cardoso once again called for players to be better protected in the aftermath - as he had done after the 1-1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs in May.
That game saw Sundowns' Keanu Cupido and Chiefs' Mduduzi Shabalala pick up injuries. Cupido pushed through the pain in his shoulder in the CAF Champions League final, but the ultimate decision was that surgery was required. He is still on the mend, with Arthur Sales also recovering after double surgery to his shoulder and pubis.
Shabalala has only recently returned to action for Kaizer Chiefs, with brief cameos against Golden Arrows and Sekhukhune. He picked up an assist in the win over Cedric Kaze's side.
Chiefs centre-back Rushwin Dortley is gradually on the mend from knee surgery, but da Cruz shows no sign of rushing him back into action.
Expected lineups
Kaizer Chiefs
GK Brandon Petersen
LB Reeve Frosler | CB Inácio Miguel | CB Zitha Kwinika | RB Dillan Solomons
CM Sibongiseni 'Ox' Mthethwa | CM Lebo Maboe
LW Langelihle Phili | AM Luke Baartman | RW Mduduzi Shabalala
ST Etiosa Ighodaro
Mamelodi Sundowns
GK Ronwen Williams
LB Fawaaz Basadien | CB Malibongwe Khoza | CB Kegan Johannes | RB Khuliso Mudau
CM Nuno Santos | CM Marcelo Allende | CM Siphelele Mkhulise
LW Tashreeq Matthews | ST Brayan León | RW Antonio van Wyk
Stats
Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns are already the only two teams in the league who have not dropped any points this season. (Chiefs have 6 points from 2 games, while Sundowns have 3 points from 1.)
Miguel Cardoso has an astonishing average of 2.42 points per game from his 52 Premiership games in charge at Mamelodi Sundowns (39 wins, 9 draws and 4 defeats).