Ajax Cape Town and Cape Town City will go to battle in arguably the most anticipated game of the Absa Premiership season thus far, with the two rivals set to come to blows at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

The Mother City will be divided in red and blue with the Urban Warriors particularly desperate to gain bragging rights over their fierce rivals.

Cape Town City have quickly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with and having defeated their counterparts on both occasions last season, tension is brewing at Ikamva as they aim to put an end to the Citizens' assault.

Stanley Menzo’s troops were held to a 2-2 draw by Baroka FC last weekend, to follow on their first win of the season - against Bakgaga’s Limpopo rivals Polokwane City.

Ajax Cape Town were well worth the result, but will feel it was two points dropped after they twice let the lead slip.

The Citizens started the season like a house on fire, but successive defeats to Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates respectively ended their rapid start to the campaign.

Benni McCarthy’s side, though, got their season back on track with a 1-0 win over Rise and Shine last time out.

Predicted Starting 11:

Ajax Cape Town: Petersen, Evans, Booysen, Nhlapo, Lebusa - Malepe, Kabwe, Margeman, - Mosadi, Morris, Uzoenyi

Cape Town City: Walters, Mkhize, Gumede, Johannes, Seedat - Nodada, Matsi, Obinna, Lakay, Patosi, Majoro

Head-to-Head

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2016/17 CTC 1-0 Ajax Jayiya
2016/17 Ajax 0-2 CTC Ngoma, Isaacs (og)

LEAGUE RECORD (since 2016/17)

Home

P W D L GF GA
Ajax 1 0 0 1 0 2
CTC 1 1 0 0 1 0

Away

P W D L GF GA
Ajax 1 0 0 1 0 1
CTC 1 1 0 0 2 0

Total

P W D L GF GA
Ajax 2 0 0 2 0 3
CTC 2 2 0 0 3 0

WHAT THEY SAID

Ajax Cape Town head coach Stanley Menzo:

“The Cape derby is obviously special, just look at all the attention we are getting before the game. It always creates great energy when two teams from the same city, who use the same stadium, come up against each other. And I’ve seen the energy among the players this week,” said Menzo

Ajax Cape Town captain Mosa Lebusa:

“There’s no doubt that City had a good season last year. This season we have new players, hungry players, and we want those bragging rights,” said Lebusa.

“The city will be divided into two colours, and I think it’s important for us to win the game. Last season they won both games and were a great side, but this season it’s different.

“It’s going to be an interesting game. Both teams are going to go at each other, and I urge the Ajax fans to come and support us, and hopefully we’ll get the three points.”

Cape Town City head coach Benni McCarthy:

“All derbies are special, as we are playing for bragging rights in the city. Ajax have come a long way, they have a wealth of history. But even though we’re only two years old, we are showing that we are a club that means business. And for us to continue in that spirit, we have to ensure that we claim those bragging rights of the city. So yes, it’s a three-point game, but derbies are special,” said McCarthy.

Cape Town City captain Robyn Johannes:

“We have many Cape Town-based players, many of their family and friends will be in the stands and they want to leave the stadium happy, so big bragging rights on stake. We have to do it for them as well,” said Johannes.