Predicting Mamelodi Sundowns' XI to face Orlando Pirates in Loftus Versfeld collision

21:54 GMT+3 29/12/2022

Sphelele Mkhulise Teboho Mokoena Khuliso Mudau Mamelodi Sundowns

The Brazilians host the Soweto giants in Tshwane as they seek to maintain or extend the gap on top of the PSL standings

Mamelodi Sundowns resume their chase of a record-extending sixth Premier Soccer League title when they welcome Orlando Pirates at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

Masandawana enjoy a five-point lead ahead of second-placed Richards Bay and they appear on course to another title triumph.

But Pirates pose a huge threat to them dropping points and they would want to avoid that.

The last time the two giants met in a competitive match, Pirates emerged 3-0 victors and Masandawana would need to be at their best on Friday to avoid a repeat of that.

This is how Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena could pick his starting XI as per GOAL's predictions.

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GOALKEEPER - Ronwen Williams

The Bafana Bafana captain has grabbed the number one jersey from Denis Onyango since he arrived at Chloorkop.
Williams has started in all Sundowns' league games and kept eight clean sheets, and he would be keen to continue some good form.
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RIGHT-BACK - Khuliso Mudau

Mudau has managed to condemn Thapelo Morena to the bench or just in front of him to the right midfield position.
Mokwena, however, preferred Morena at right-back in their last league game against Royal AM but Mudau has been a consistent performer.
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LEFT-BACK - Aubrey Modiba

Modiba is coming back from suspension and is available to start on Friday.
Interestingly, he last featured in an official game for Sundowns against Pirates and he was sent off leading to his two-match suspension.
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CENTRE-BACK - Grant Kekana

Kekana has been would be hoping to be at his steely self to deal with the threat posed by the likes of Monnapule Saleng and Kermit Erasmus.
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CENTRE-BACK - Mosa Lebusa

Mokwena might face a tough decision in selecting Lebusa or Brian Mandela who is back from injury.
But after some shaky performances earlier in the season, Lebusa is now stable as he showed towards the Fifa World Cup break.
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CENTRAL MIDFIELDER - Andile Jali

Jali might not have forgotten how Saleng and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo gave him a tough time when Sundowns and Pirates met in the MTN8 semi-final.
But being an experienced player, Jali would want to show he can command play in the middle of the park.
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CENTRAL MIDFIELDER - Teboho Mokoena

Mokoena is almost a permanent feature in the Masandawana midfield and is a consistent performer.
He would be bracing up for a bitter battle with Miguel Timm while trying out his trademark long shots that mark him as a central midfielder always with a goal in his legs.
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ATTACKING MIDFIELDER - Sphelele Mkhulise

Usually speedy, Mkhulise combines well with Marcelo Allende to make Masandawana's attacks quicker.
That could be one of the strong points the Brazilians might want to make full use of on Friday.
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ATTACKING MIDFIELDER - Marcelo Allende

The Chile international had dropped in form a bit when Sundowns went for the World Cup break.
But he would be hoping to rise and become influential in this big fixture.
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CENTRE-FORWARD - Cassius Mailula

Arguably the biggest revelation for Sundowns this season, Mailula stepped in with top-notch performances when he spearheaded Sundowns' attack in the absence of Peter Shalulile.
In a short space of time, the 21-year-old proved that he can be trusted upfront with three goals in four league appearances.
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CENTRE-FORWARD - Peter Shalulile

The Namibian is back from a spell out with injury and would be hungry for goals to lead the scorers' chart.
An attacking combination between proven gunslingers Shalulile and Mailula is something that could be dreaded by PSL defenders with Abubeker Nasir on standby on the bench.