NFD: Weekend preview

The National First Division battle resumes after the international break, with round 11 set to take place this weekend.

All matches kick off at 15H30 except for the Cape Town All Stars v Witbank Spurs game on Sunday, which takes place at 13H00 and will be broadcast live on SS4.

Included in the action are two Cape derbies as well as a KZN derby.

Saturday, November 19, 2016

University of Pretoria v Magesi FC - Tuks Stadium

AmaTuks have dropped to 12th after just a point from their last four games. NFD new-comers Magesi, who were separated from Tuks by two divisions last season, have struggled so far and are rooted to the foot of the table having claimed only two of the last available 15 points.

Black Leopards v Mbombela United - Thohoyandou Stadium

Lidoda Duvha, occupying ninth place, will be looking for improved form after claiming only a point from their last three games, the two most recent resulting in defeats. Mbombela have notched six points from their last three matches to move up to 10th and are equal on 12 points with Leopards.

FC Cape Town v Stellenbosch FC - NNK Rugby Stadium

This will be the African Beasts' third consecutive derby after having drawn with Santos and beaten Cape Town All Stars. Stellenbosch, formerly FC Cape Town's across-the-road neighbours when still known as Vasco da Gama, are second on the table having amassed 10 points from the last available 12.

Milano United v Santos - Athlone Stadium

The derby showdown will see Milano United coach Boebie Solomons as well as captain Nasief Morris taking on their former club. With Zeca Marques' Santos side in 14th and Milano in 13th, this is a game both sides will be determined to win and should be a riveting derby encounter at Athlone. There’s been little to separate the clubs down the years – in nine matches there have been four draws, two wins for the Peoples’ Team and three for the Grassy Park club.

Mthatha Bucks v Royal Eagles - Mthatha Stadium

After a promising start to the season, Bucks' form has fallen away slightly, although they are unbeaten in their last four, with three of those games draws. Eagles meanwhile have moved to third after three wins and two draws, the KZN side in devastating goal-scoring form with 16 goals in their last five outings. Eagles beat Bucks on both of last season's games.

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Cape Town All Stars v Witbank Spurs - Athlone Stadium

All Stars have drawn three, lost one and won one of their five most recent fixtures, but remain in the relegation zone. Spurs meanwhile have moved to fourth after picking up nine points from the last available 12. In four previous encounters, each club has won two games.

Jomo Cosmos v Real Kings FC - Olen Park Stadium

Cosmos, in fifth position, have not been able to find much consistency of late - their last five results read: L, W, L, D, W. Kings are in solid form and a hard side to beat - they have won two and drawn three of their last five outings and are in seventh position.

AmaZulu v Thanda Royal Zulu - Princess Magogo Stadium

Thanda are the only unbeaten side in the league still - everyone else has lost at least two games. The Richards Bay outfit have a five point lead at the top of the standings as they head into Sunday's match against KZN rivals AmaZulu, who are in eighth place after four defeats and one win in their last five matches. In nine previous clashes, Thanda have won two and Usuthu six.

Suspensions:

AMAZULU: LUNGELO DLAMINI, SIBUSISO MAGAQA

BLACK LEOPARDS: DJUNGA MUNGANGA

JOMO COSMOS: MXOLISI MACUPHU

MILANO UNITED: CHAD ROBERTSON

MTHATHA BUCKS: MAZWI MNCUBE

REAL KINGS FC: MMISENI NDLOVU, S'BONELO KHUBONE

ROYAL EAGLES: LESEGO MANGANYI

SANTOS: TYREN ARENDSE

UNIVER. OF PRETORIA: THABO MOLOI