Rooney, Martial set sights on Sunderland

Manchester United will face the worst defence in the Premier League on Saturday, which should have their strike-force of Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial licking their lips in anticipation.

Sunderland have conceded 49 goals so far this season – the main reason why Sam Allardyce's side find themselves in relegation trouble inside the bottom three.

Their record at the Stadium of Light is not as troubling, with only 13 goals conceded on home turf to date.

But the Black Cats are evidently vulnerable and Rooney and Martial will be looking to add to their goal tallies as United bid to keep their prospects of Champions League qualification alive.

They go into the weekend six points off the top four under Louis van Gaal, whose position remains under intense scrutiny following reports of an approach for Jose Mourinho to replace the Dutchman as manager at Old Trafford.

Rooney, who scored one of the goals in United's comfortable 3-0 home win over Sunderland in September, has netted seven times in his last eight games.

And while Martial has scored just once in seven games, the France international looks to be heading back towards top form and needs just one goal to reach double figures in his first season in England.

"The amount of ability he's got is huge. The potential is certainly there," said Michael Carrick of 20-year-old Martial.

"It's easy to forget the age he is and how little football he's actually played as well. To have such an impact at this stage, with the expectations based on him and the way he's dealt with it, has been superb.

"His performances have been very good. I think we have to understand that sometimes he might not be that shining light and have days when it's not quite happening for him, and that's understandable.

"But over time he'll improve and I've seen a big improvement already in this short time. Hopefully that trend will continue and he'll get better and better."

'We need six wins'

United have lost just one of their last nine games, but conceded a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Chelsea last Sunday that saw them slip six points behind Manchester City, who are currently fourth.

Van Gaal's side therefore have little margin for error if they are to close the gap and with the top four sides all playing each other this weekend, they must take advantage of dropped points elsewhere.

Fit-again defender Phil Jones could return after playing for United's under-21s against Norwich City on Monday, when striker Will Keane, 23, scored five times to stake his claim for a place in the senior squad.

Sunderland go into the game having sacked England international Adam Johnson on Thursday after the winger pleaded guilty to child sex charges.

Sunderland have not beaten United at home in the league for almost 19 years and Allardyce says they will have to win more games in their final 13 matches than they have in their previous 25 to have any hope of staying up.

Second-bottom Sunderland have five league victories so far, but Allardyce believes it will take six more to bridge the four-point gap to safety as they bid to extend their nine-season stay in the top flight.

"We're not quite into the territory of having to win back-to-back matches at this stage," said Allardyce, whose side fought back to draw 2-2 at Liverpool last weekend.

"But looking at it, we need six wins from our last 13 matches to get us to 38 points."

Everton eye home improvements

Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that his side must do better at home if they are to fulfil their ambitions of a return to European competition.

The Merseyside club have hit form ahead of Saturday's visit of West Bromwich Albion, with three successive 3-0 wins.

The last two of those have come in the Premier League, lifting Everton to eighth place in the table, one place below potential Europa League qualification depending on which teams win the FA Cup and League Cup.

But their win over Newcastle United at the start of February was Everton's first in the league at Goodison Park since November.

Top scorer Romelu Lukaku believes that Champions League qualification remains a viable target, but Martinez knows that his side need to improve their home form if they are to continue climbing the league.

"We don't try to hide the fact we want to reach the top four," said the Spaniard, whose side qualified for the Europa League in 2014 after finishing fifth.

"That won't happen overnight, but we are giving big roles to young players. If you look at our away record, it is even better than two years ago, but we drop too many points at home.

"Romelu accepts that challenge and that we need to become better. We want to aim high and be involved in the latter stages of every competition and be in the top four.

"As a team we are getting better. It shows after a demanding 18 months. The European campaign is helping us and we are getting the rewards on that."

Everton, who have also reached the fifth round of the FA Cup, have lost away from home only once in the league this season – a record not bettered by any other side – and won 3-2 at West Brom in late September.

However, only three clubs have managed fewer than the Toffees' four home wins and two of those are in the relegation places.

Injury crisis

Everton could be boosted by the return of defender John Stones, but Martinez may elect not to rush the England international back after three successive clean sheets.

He will definitely be without injured midfielder Muhamed Besic and is likely to keep Joel Robles in goal as Tim Howard works his way back from a knee problem.

Despite prevailing on penalties in an FA Cup fourth-round replay at third-tier Peterborough United on Wednesday, West Brom head for Goodison Park in poor shape.

Tony Pulis's side had won just three times in 15 games in all competitions before the shoot-out victory.

An increasing number of supporters are grumbling about the team's style of play and Pulis has an injury crisis to grapple with for the weekend.

Gareth McAuley, who had been patched up after a thigh problem, suffered a hamstring injury at London Road that will keep him out for at least a fortnight.

Craig Dawson, Jonny Evans, Chris Brunt, James Morrison and Callum McManaman were also all sidelined for the FA Cup game and Pulis could be without all five on Merseyside.

The Baggies squeezed through despite another uninspiring display at Peterborough and captain Darren Fletcher believes the character that saw them avoid an embarrassing upset will be vital again at the weekend.

"It's a big factor in any team and we've got that in abundance," said the former Manchester United stalwart. "That's coming through now and we'll stick together.

"There's plenty more games to go and we're in a position where you look to the bottom, but we're only four or five points from pushing for seventh or eighth."

Only wins will do as Blues face Magpies

Champions Chelsea will aim to continue their laborious climb up the Premier League table with a victory at home to Newcastle United on Saturday.

Guus Hiddink's side are unbeaten in nine league games, but six of those have been draws. They come into the weekend in 13th place and cannot move into the top 10 until the following week at the earliest.

Stamford Bridge continues to be the home of entertaining speculation, however, with the club still searching for a permanent successor to Jose Mourinho and captain John Terry on course to leave at the end of the season.

One man who does appear to have a long-term future at the club is Oscar, despite the Brazil playmaker having reportedly been the subject of a mega-money bid from Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Suning.

"I want to stay here for a long time," Oscar told Chelsea TV. "I want to win more games, more trophies, because I love Chelsea, I love the fans. I like the city, my family like it here.

"I don't have a reason to change the club. Everyone likes me here and I'm very happy here."

But Oscar, who is under contract until June 2019, was at a loss to explain Chelsea's dramatic fall from grace.

"It's just the results," he told Sport magazine. "We started off not doing well this season. Last year we would play well and win, this year we were playing well and not winning. The results are everything.

"It's better now because we've started to win games again. We went back to playing well again. But when we lose, the mood is bad. When we win, the mood is good. It's the same anywhere.

"We are doing everything we can to win games and get back to the old Chelsea that won last season."

Defender Kurt Zouma's season is over after he suffered a serious knee injury in Sunday's 1-1 draw at home to Manchester United, in which striker Diego Costa netted a stoppage-time equaliser.

England's Gary Cahill will replace the Frenchman in central defence alongside Terry.

'Big characters'

Newcastle's only aim is to avoid relegation and Jamaal Lascelles feels the arrivals of Jonjo Shelvey and Andros Townsend in the January transfer window can help them address their woeful away record.

Steve McClaren's side have lost 14 of their last 18 games on the road and start as big outsiders at Stamford Bridge, where they have won just once in 21 Premier League visits.

Both Shelvey and Townsend, signed for a combined £24 million ($34.7 million, 30.6 million euros) from Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, played central roles in the 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion that lifted the Tyneside club out of the bottom three by a point.

Lascelles, who is available after suspension, is confident the England internationals will help the team pursue an upturn in results in the final third of the season.

"All the January arrivals have given everyone a lift," said the 22-year-old defender.

"In Andros and Jonjo, we've brought in two big characters, which I think we needed because we've lacked a bit of leadership and determination on the pitch recently.

"They've lifted us and hopefully we can go to Chelsea and get three points."

McClaren hopes to welcome back midfielder Jack Colback and defender Paul Dummett from injury, while right-back Daryl Janmaat faces a fitness test on a thigh muscle problem.

Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul, French winger Gabriel Obertan, Senegal forward Papiss Cisse and defensive pair Chancel Mbemba and Massadio Haidara remain sidelined with longer-term injuries.

Neville faces must-win Espanyol clash

Valencia coach Gary Neville has pleaded with the club's disgruntled fans to turn up and support his struggling side when they face Espanyol at the Mestalla on Saturday.

Valencia have not won in the league since November and there are growing fears they could be dragged into a relegation battle.

Neville has failed to win in nine La Liga games since taking charge in December, form that has seen his Valencia side plummet from five points off the top four to just four points above the relegation zone.

Only an estimated 10 000 fans turned up to see Valencia's fate sealed in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals on Wednesday with a 1-1 draw against a much-changed Barcelona coming after they were thrashed 7-0 in the first leg a week before.

"I am aware of the right of the fans not to come and to say and do what they want," said Neville.

"I think the stadium on Saturday will be full and an electric atmosphere. We and the team need the fans more than ever on Saturday."

Neville's friendship with Valencia's Singaporean owner Peter Lim played a big part in him taking his first managerial role at the Mestalla, and has helped the England coach remain in the job despite widespread criticism in the Spanish media and by some sections of the club's support.

However, another defeat against an Espanyol side who have also not won in nine games and lost 5-0 at home to Real Sociedad on Monday is expected to see Neville's time in Spain come to an abrupt conclusion.

Espanyol coach Constantin Galca's job is also on the line just two months after taking charge with the club's new Chinese owners – who have targeted Champions League football within three years – not expected to show patience with the Romanian.

"They are only three points above us and if we win we put them in trouble as well," said Espanyol midfielder Victor Sanchez.

"Hopefully we don't start like the other day and make the game as long as possible for them. There are no more excuses and we need to produce this week."

Toughest test

At the other end of the table, Zinedine Zidane faces his toughest test since becoming Real Madrid coach as Athletic Bilbao visit the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

Real's title hopes hang by a thread as they are four points adrift of leaders Barcelona, who also have a game in hand.

Zidane will also get his first taste of Champions League action as a coach later in the week as Madrid travel to Roma, but Cristiano Ronaldo insists they are not ready to give up on the league to focus on Europe yet.

"The players are going to give everything on the field to try and win the title and the Champions League," he told the club's website.

Madrid have injury worries as their only specialised left-back Marcelo is sidelined by a dislocated shoulder, while Gareth Bale remains out with a calf injury.

Athletic also have key players missing as Inaki Williams and Mikel San Jose are both suspended.

Barcelona look to continue a club record 29 games unbeaten when they host Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Coach Luis Enrique left all 11 that are expected to start out of his squad for the formality of the second leg against Valencia in midweek.

Lionel Messi is fit after having treatment on a kidney stone problem earlier in the week, while La Liga's top goalscorer Luis Suarez and Neymar also return.

Atletico Madrid remain Barca's closest challengers, three points adrift of the European champions having also played a game more.

Diego Simeone can welcome back three quarters of his defence in Filipe Luis, Diego Godin and Juanfran from suspension as Atletico have the opportunity to move level at the top for a couple of hours at least when they make the short trip across the capital to face Getafe on Sunday.

Napoli won't buckle - Higuain

Gonzalo Higuain says Napoli have no intention of buckling under pressure as they continue their quest for a first Scudetto in 26 years with a hotly-anticipated visit to champions Juventus on Saturday.

In a Serie A weekend that could also be decisive for Fiorentina and Inter Milan, who face off in Florence on Sunday, Napoli travel to Turin looking for their second victory over the Old Lady this season.

It would see Maurizio Sarri's league leaders stretch their advantage over Massimiliano Allegri's men to five points, and send the southern city of Naples into an even bigger frenzy as the dream of a first league title since the heady days of Diego Maradona draws closer to reality.

After Saturday's clash Napoli will have 13 games to show they are worthy of succeeding Allegri's four-time defending champions.

Higuain, who is looking to emulate his legendary compatriot Maradona, said Napoli's ability not to panic will be just as crucial as his goals.

"Everything depends on us, we have to keep calm and keep our feet on the ground," Higuain told the Tg1 programme.

"My intention is to keep on scoring. For me, obviously, but above all to help the club as we keep fighting for this important objective."

With 24 goals in as many league games, it is no wonder Higuain admits he is "having the best season of my career".

He has already surpassed the 22-goal tally that earned Mauro Icardi and Luca Toni a share of last season's 'Capocannoniere' (top scorer) award and has Gunnar Nordahl's 1950 record of 35 goals in a single, 20-team season firmly in his sights.

Failure to reach both or one of those goals, however, would quickly fade into insignificance if Higuain emulated Maradona, who inspired Napoli to an historic first title in 1987 and their second in 1990.

"It would be magnificent if I could emulate him and bring the title to this city. I know that, for the people of Naples, he was more than just a football talent," said Higuain.

"For me, just getting close to what he achieved at Napoli fills me with pride."

A second-half winner by Higuain helped Napoli to a 2-1 victory at the San Paolo last September, but Juve were struggling for form and confidence following several key personnel changes last summer.

Winning run

Allegri's men have since strung 14 consecutive wins together to maintain their bid for a record-equalling fifth consecutive league title, although they have the added pressure of the Champions League to contend with.

Although Napoli, who have won eight in a row, boast the most potent attack (53 goals), Juve 'keeper Gianluigi Buffon believes the league's stingiest defence (15 conceded) can thwart them.

"Both teams will be out to win, but for us it is also important not to lose," said Buffon.

"Napoli have the best attack and Higuain is a real danger but 90 percent of the time the team with the best defence wins in Italy."

A stalemate in Turin would be embraced by Fiorentina and Inter, who are now respectively 10 and 11 points off the pace in third and fourth ahead of Sunday's meeting in Florence.

Stunned 4-1 at the San Siro earlier this season when Nikola Kalinic hit a hat-trick for La Viola, Inter can ill afford to lose ground in their bid to secure Champions League football next season.

Brazilan Joao Miranda returns from suspension in timely fashion and is set to play alongside Jeison Murillo in a centre-back partnership that, over 15 games together, has proven Inter's tightest.

AC Milan, meanwhile, will be hoping for a draw in Florence ahead of hosting Genoa at the San Siro on Sunday when influential midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura could make his return from injury.

Sixth-placed Milan are unbeaten in six games, a run that has featured three wins including a 3-0 defeat of Inter last month and left them 16 points adrift of Napoli but only six behind Fiorentina.

Oliseh on 'roller coaster' ride

The media in Nigeria has been awash with various scathing remarks and vituperation towards Sunday Oliseh after the Super Eagles coach released two videos slamming critics who have been calling for his head.

Oliseh flew out to Belgium after Nigeria’s group stage ouster at the 4th African Nations Championship in Rwanda which drew a lot of criticism.

Oliseh, obviously not happy, spewed out his frustrations with videos on his official Youtube channel describing his call to be sacked and constant criticism as ‘insane’. That and a whole lot drew the ire of fans, journalists and former team-mates alike.

The former Ajax of Amsterdam midfielder has since apologised to Nigerians and his employers-The Nigeria Football Federation.

supersport.com takes a look at the series of events that started with Nigeria’s ouster from the CHAN 2016 tournament and Oliseh’s outbursts.

January 26, 2016

Nigeria are knocked out of the 2016 CHAN event after losing 1-0 to Guinea in the final group game. Leading Group C into the final match day, the Super Eagles capitulated to Guinea who took the chance they had.

Ibrahima Sankhon’s goal just before half-time was all Guinea needed to progress while the Super Eagles were shown the exit door

Oliseh then departed for Belgium after the Super Eagles were knocked out of the CHAN tournament while the rest of the squad came back to Nigeria.

That action took a few by surprise.

February 6

In a two video tirade [above] , Sunday Oliseh let’s rip at his critics. In a two part video which was published on his official youtube account, the former Juventus players calls out his former international team-mates whom he accused of overtly criticising him and calling for his sack.

Oliseh also called ‘Insane’ the call by his sack which he attributed to player managers and agents who are trying to curry favours from him to invite certain players to the Super Eagles.

Nigerian journalists were not spared in his rants as he accused a section of the media who he claims have asked him to pay them for favourable reports and positive laundering of his image.

He went as far as hinting at witchcraft being used against him with the intention of harming him or causing failure to his team

That didn’t sit well with a lot of Nigerians. Just to put this in perspective, in a land of a millions of Eagles fans Part I got 25 likes and Part II 30. That is a failing grade anywhere.

February 8

Oliseh purportedly apologised to the Nigeria Football Federation for the rants. Green and Amaju the NFF big-wigs have both confirmed this but they have also halted paying the salary of Ex-international and former team-mate of Oliseh, Tijani Babangida was appointed by the Eagles coach as Special Assistant

February 9

One group that want more than an apology is SWAN, the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria whose chairman Andrew Abah [below] released a communiqué giving Sunday Oliseh a 7-day ultimatum to publish the names of the journalists who he claims asked him to be paid for favours or face repercussions.

February 10

Sunday Oliseh took to his official Twitter account (@SundayOOliseh) to apologise to all Nigerians for his comments

Again based on the response Nigerians were still irked at the fact that rather than preparing for Egypt, and the crucial doubleheader next month, they are being subjected to nothing short of a soap opera

Meanwhile Egypt coach Héctor Cúper confided in supersport.com two weeks ago that he already has his squad set for the games with Nigeria

Munthali banned for two months

Zambia defender Christopher Munthali has been handed a two month ban from the game for breaching his contract with Power Dynamos.

The Football Association of Zambia (Faz) Player Status Committee on February 10 ruled in favour of Power after the player signed another contract with Nkana in December claiming he was a free agent.

Munthali’s contract with Power expires on December 31, 2016 but Nkana claimed that they signed the defender as a free agent after his deal with their Kitwe arch-rivals allegedly ended on December 31, 2015.

“Christopher Munthali has been banned for two months from all football activities,” Faz spokesperson Nkweto Tembwe said.

The ban includes Chipolopolo duty and it means Munthali is suspended from next month’s 2017 Africa Cup doubleheader qualifier against Congo-Brazzaville on March 23 at home and away on March 27.

Munthali has also been ordered back at Power who had incidentally loaned him to Nkana in the 2013 and 2014 season’s after failing to hold down a first team place at the club.

Meanwhile, Nkana have escaped with a US$1000.00 fine for their part in the issue.

“Nkana have been fined K10, 000.00 (US$ 1000.00) for failing to do a due diligence in signing a contract with Munthali who already had another contract running with Power Dynamos,” Tembwe said.

Zesco chase home win in Champs League

Zesco United begin their 2016 Caf Champions League campaign this Saturday when they host Al Ghazalla in a preliminary round, first leg tie at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

This is the first time a Zambian club will face a South Sudan opponent in continental club action since the visiting nation joined Caf in 2012.

Zesco goalkeeper Jacob Banda said they were looking for a convincing home win this weekend against their little known opponents to kick-start their race to try and reach the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2009.

“I think we have to do our best on Saturday. We have to win to go to the next round. The team is geared and is well-prepared,” Banda said.

Banda is one of four high-profile players in the Zesco lineup who shined for Zambia at the just-ended 2016 African nations Championship (Chan) in Rwanda where Chipolopolo reached the quarterfinals.

The spotlight will be on Banda again after his outstanding display at Chan where he was not breached in over 360 minutes before Zambia succumbed to a 5-4 post-match penalties loss to Guinea in the quarterfinals.

Defender Dauti Musekwa including midfielders Cletus Chama and Mwape Mwelwa will all be hoping to reprise their Chan form for the club this weekend.

However, Zesco start life without their goal-king Winston Kalengo who left in January before the Chan tournament to join AC Leopards of Congo-Brazzaville.

Meanwhile, Al Ghazalla will host Zesco in the final leg on February 26 in Juba to decide who goes through to the first round in March.

'Pep will love working with Iheanacho'

Manchester City great, Paul Dickov, believes Pep Guardiola will be delighted at the prospect of working Nigerian starlet, Kelechi Iheanacho.

The Bayern Munich trainer will replace Manuel Pellegrini at the end of the current season having led the Bavarians to successive German titles.

Iheanacho has scored eight goals in all competitions for City this season across all competitions and Dickov believes Guardiola will be excited at the prospect of taking the young Nigerian under his wings.

"Pep will be watching Iheanacho and will be excited about the prospect of managing him.

"I remember when Pep was at Barcelona, he got rid of Yaya Toure to bring a young Sergio Busquets in. At the time, people thought he was crazy to do it but it proved the right decision.

"All the youngsters at City now, with the way the club's going and the investment they've had in the academy, are starting to believe they'll get their chance. As much as they can go and buy the top players in the world, they want to bring through top talent as well," Dickov told ESPNFC.

The former City striker then identified Iheanacho’s humility as one of the factors which could shoot him to an even more meteoric rise under Guardiola’s management.

"I think he could be a top, top player," he said. "The thing I like the most is the humility he's got. For a young kid coming through, he scored his hat-trick against Villa and when you listen to his interviews after, or any interviews he's done, he's very mature for his age off the pitch and it also shows on the pitch.

"I've played up front on my own and throughout my career and it's really difficult. For him to come into the team and play that lone striker role - not just his goals, his all round play - shows he has the making of a top player there.

"If you speak to people at the club they say he's a hard worker who wants to learn all the time and he's always asking questions. I've watched him playing at under-21 games over the last 18 months and you can tell he's a [good] player,” he said.

Current City boss, Pellegrini, says he allowed forwards Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic to leave at the start of the season because of his confidence in Iheanacho and Dickov believes it was an astute decision.

"A lot of questions were asked about Manuel at the start of the season about why they didn't sign another striker. I know from within the club they felt they didn't have to because Kelechi was there and ready to go.

"He's forced himself into the team. It's a massive confidence boost to pair him with Aguero for a Premier League match (against Sunderland) and he'll take that confidence in his stride as well," he said.

Power relieved after Munthali ruling

Power Dynamos are delighted that justice has prevailed in their ownership battle with Nkana over Zambia defender Christopher Munthali.

Munthali was handed a two month ban by the Football Association of Zambia (Faz) after a two-day Players and Status Committee hearing that concluded on Wednesday in Lusaka.

The defender was found guilty for breaching his contract with Power when he signed with their Kitwe arch-rivals in December, 2015.

Faz ruled in Power’s favour after verifying that they had a valid contract with Munthali that will run up to December 31, 2016.

Nkana had alleged that Munthali was a free agent and that his contract with Power had expired on December 31, 2015.

“It has been a marathon how this whole episode has unfolded,” Power cub secretary Ricky Mamfunda said.

“As a club we are pleased that we have vindicated.”

Munthali has since been ordered to return to Power.

His ban will also see him miss Zambia’s next international assignment on March 23 at home and March 27 away against Congo-Brazzaville in a 2017 Africa Cup Group E qualifier.

Meanwhile, Nkana have said they will not appeal the verdict.

The matter has been a learning phase,” Nkana secretary Ken Mwansa said.

Celtic, Chippa desperate for consistency

Bloemfontein Celtic and Chippa United are in a desperate search for consistency as they prepare to lock horns in an Absa Premiership clash at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 3:30 pm.

After what was a poor start to his spell as head coach of Siwelele, Serame Letsoaka and his troops have endured a up-turn in fortunes over the past few weeks with a goalless draw at Mpumalanga Black Aces, last time out, extending their unbeaten run to three matches.

Celtic were under the cosh for most of the clash against AmaZayoni and despite holding on for a valuable point against the title challengers, Letsoaka has demanded improvement.

“I think it is the worst performance I have seen since I arrived here,” the former SuperSport United assistant said.

“We could not pass the ball, we could not defend properly, we could not track properly, so both offensively and defensively we were very poor.

“We were very fortunate. We could have lost by three, four goals, but we came up with a point. I’m very happy with the point we collected. I’m not really sure we deserve it, but I’m very, very happy."

The Chilli Boys claimed a third win from their last five league matches, beating Jomo Cosmos 2-1 at the Buffalo City Stadium.

Head coach Dan Malesela is eager for his side to build on the result as they aim to break away from the teams knocking on the top eight door.

"Our objective at this time is to try and find consistency," said Malesela.

"If you look at the points difference between ourselves and the teams below us in the league, there is not much in it so we need to be consistently picking up points in order for us to move away from those trying to break into the top eight."

Both Celtic and Chippa have undergone coaching changes this season and Malesela believes that has played a part in an inconsistency of results.

"It is always the case when you take over at a team in the middle of the season - it is tricky to get your a rhythm going. For me the challenge has been finding a starting eleven, we are slowly building to our strongest team and the sooner we find consistency in selection the better," he concluded.

In head-to-head stats, Chippa and Celtic have met in five previous league matches since 2012/13.

Phunya Sele Sele have three wins compared to two for the Chilli Boys, while zero matches have been drawn.

Celtic have won both of their two home league matches against Chippa.

When the teams met earlier this season, the Chilli Boys claimed a 2-1 home win in the Eastern Cape.

Chippa have not scored an away goal in the league against Celtic

Maritzburg host in-form Dikwena

Maritzburg United will be desperate to end their winless run in the Absa Premiership when they host Platinum Stars at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 8:15pm.

The Team of Choice were defeated 3-2 away by defending league champions Kaizer Chiefs in their previous league game last weekend.

Defender Tamsanqa Teyise and striker Evans Rusike were both on the scoresheet for the away side at the FNB Stadium on the night.

This was the KwaZulu-Natal side's third successive league defeat. Prior to that Maritzburg had drawn with SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates.

Maritzburg are placed 16th on the Absa Premiership standings having accumulated eight points from 17 matches.

The Team of Choice head coach, Ernst Middendorp has urged the team's supporters to turn out in numbers on Saturday as they look to break their seven-match winless streak.

"The next game we have to look for the three points to break it. Next

Saturday evening," Middendorp said.

"I hope the Pietermaritzburg fans are there. The players are doing everything," the German tactician added.

Meanwhile, Stars will be looking to maintain their form in the league when they travel to KwaZulu-Natal to face Maritzburg this weekend.

Dikwena registered an emphatic 3-0 over Polokwane City at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in their previous league game last weekend.

Midfield trio Sibusiso Msomi, Tlou Segolela as well as Robert Ng'ambi were all on the scoresheet for the home side.

The Rustenburg side have won three of their last five league matches. The other two games ended in a draw and a defeat to Free State Stars last month.

Stars are placed fifth on the Absa Premiership standings having accumulated 30 points from 17 matches.

Dikwena head coach Cavin Johnson has stated that Maritzburg remain a formidable team despite their poor form in the league this season.

“We know we are in for a big fight when we are going to play Maritzburg. We can see that they are a formidable team," Johnson said.

"At home they are not going to be easy. We are going there to put on a fight and hopefully we are able to play our football,” he concluded.

When Maritzburg and Stars met in the first-round encounter, the two sides played to a 1-1 stalemate at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in December 2015.

Vuyo Mere opened the scoring for Dikwena in the 77th minute, before Team Of Choice's Brian Onyango equalised 11 minutes later.

Tuks, SuperSport meet in derby

The University of Pretoria head to SuperSport United for an Absa Premiership clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Sunday, having never scored a league goal against their Tshwane rivals.

Kick-off is at 3:30 pm.

AmaTuks have yet to register a goal against Matsatsantsa in 630 minutes of Premiership action, with SuperSport boasting an unblemished record of six wins and one draw in seven top flight matches against their neighbours.

Both sides have endured indifferent results in the league this season with both occupying spots outside the top 10, SuperSport in 12th and AmaTuks in 15th after 18 rounds of fixtures.

Both have also undergone coaching changes in recent weeks with Shaun Bartlett taking over the reins at Tuks and Stuart Baxter now manning the touchline at SuperSport.

Bartlett has suffered two defeats, drawing once in his three games in charge of the club and admits it has been a huge challenge to turn the clubs fortunes around.

"At this moment in time it is a massive challenge for me, not just implementing tactics, but also giving the players the self-belief that we can go and achieve certain things," said the former Bafana Bafana striker.

"Those are the things I will have to contentiously work on, beside obviously the tactics that we will need to apply every game. You can't switch off for a single moment.

"Our players need to realise and quickly take on board, in order to get results you have to contentiously be focused for 90 minutes.

"We have to work a lot harder and show more desire as far as getting results is concerned."

Baxter failed to make an immediate impact at the capital club, seeing his side play to a stalemate in his first match in charge before a 3-1 home defeat to Ajax Cape Town.

Dean Furman though has seen improvement, performance wise, and is confident the club will end the season on a high.

"The new coach has come in , he has really got his point across real quickly - I'm sure there is still a lot he wants to work on, but that will happen in time," said Furman.

"Despite the results not going our way over the last couple of games I think we have played some of the best football we've played all season. There has definitely been improvement and hopefully we can continue in that fashion going forward.

"We know whats been going wrong, we work very hard to rectify those errors. Going into the game on Sunday , hopefully we can have a more complete performance."

When the teams met earlier this season, United claimed a 2-0 away win over their city rivals.

Arrows seek end to horror run

Golden Arrows will hope to snap a four-game losing streak when they travel to Polokwane City tomorrow in the Absa Premiership and avoid being sucked into the relegation mix.

Home defeats to Chippa United, Kaizer Chiefs and BidVest Wits, to go with an away loss at Ajax Cape Town, has piled the pressure on the Durban side heading into their clash at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Coach Clinton Larsen has refused to hit the panic button though and feels his side’s luck will change soon, saying the football they have played deserved much more reward.

“Creating more chances than our opponents in our last three matches and still ending up on the losing side has been a bitter pill to swallow but we will continue to work very hard to turn this situation around,” he said.

“We again defended very well (against Wits last Saturday), limiting our opponents to very few chances.”

Larsen is hoping to have Malawian striker Gabadinho Mhango available for the match to boost his forward options as Golden Arrows, but is waiting on the work paperwork to come through.

Mhango has signed a pre-contract with BidVest Wits for next season but was left in limbo following his early departure from Bloemfontein Celtic last month.

Larsen should also have Mabhudi Khenyeza available for selection after he had returned to the side against Wits at the weekend having been excused from selection for unknown personal reasons in the defeat to Chiefs 10 days ago.

City have battled on the road this season but enjoyed much more success at home and have been boosted in recent matches by the sight of coach Julio Leal on the bench.

The Brazilian waited three months for his work permit to but is now able to lead from the dugout.

City have won their last four home games, a run that includes victories against Platinum Stars, SuperSport United, Jomo Cosmos and Maritzburg United.

It is their best ever run of success at home in the Premier Soccer League and with no fresh injury worries will be favourites to take it further.