Sundowns, Celtic meet before Cup final
Bloemfontein Celtic will look to extend Mamelodi Sundowns’ win drought in the Absa Premiership when the teams meet at Free State Stadium on Sunday, kick-off at 3:30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).
Celtic come into the game off the back of a second straight win, scoring late in midweek to defeat Golden Arrows 1-0 away.
The Bloemfontein side has performed well at home so far this season, winning four of five matches.
Phunya Sele Sele are placed seventh on the Absa Premiership log with 16 points from 11 matches.
Sundowns’ winless streak in the league was extended to 10 matches when they were held to a 1-1 draw in midweek by AmaZulu.
The Tshwane side has yet to win away from home this term, with two draws and three losses from five matches.
The Brazilians are placed last on the Absa Premiership log with seven points from 11 matches.
In head-to-head stats, Celtic and Sundowns have met in 48 league matches since 1985.
The Brazilians have claimed 23 wins compared to 10 for Phunya Sele Sele, while 15 matches have been drawn.
Celtic’s home record against ‘Downs reads: P24 W7 D8 L9 GF18 GA24.
Last season the Tshwane team took four points off their Bloemfontein counterparts, winning 2-1 at home and drawing 0-0 in the return match.
Celtic’s line-up from their 1-0 win over Arrows: Tignyemb, Nthethe, Motlhaping, Isaacs (Lawler 56’), Leonard, Motshegwa (Duiker 78’), Mogorosi (Nontshinga 68’), Gamildien, Lakay, Arwuah, Manzini.
Sundowns’ line-up from their 1-1 draw with AmaZulu: Sandilands, Mampuru, Daniels, Mabaso, Langerman, Shongwe, Moriri, Modise, Pelembe (Manqele 73’), Rodgers (Mushekwi 62’ [Masenamela 85’]), Laffor.
