Stars, Celtic in another derby
Provincial rivals Free State Stars and Bloemfontein Celtic will meet for an Absa Premiership derby at the Charles Mopeli Stadium on Sunday, kick-off at 15h30.
The two sides have already met this season in the Telkom Knockout semifinal, a match Celtic won 3-2 and went on to claim the cup in the final against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Stars played out their sixth draw of the season in midweek as they were held 1-1 at home by Mamelodi Sundowns.
The team in red has recorded two wins, four draws and one loss from their seven home matches so far this season.
Ea Lla Koto are placed sixth on the Absa Premiership log with 18 points from 13 matches.
Celtic recorded just their second draw of the season in midweek, as they held SuperSport United to a 1-1 stalemate away from home.
The team in green and white has managed just one victory on the road this season and suffered four defeats in the process.
Phunya Sele Sele are placed eighth on the Absa Premiership log with 17 points from 13 matches.
In head-to-head stats, Stars and Celtic have met in 42 league matches since 1986.
Ea Lla Koto have claimed 13 wins compared to 12 for Phunya Sele Sele, while 17 matches have ended in draws.
Stars have a solid home record against Celtic, with nine wins and just four losses from 21 matches down the years.
Last season the team in green and white won 1-0 in their home match, but Ea Lla Koto claimed a 2-1 victory in the return meeting.
Stars’ line-up from their 1-1 draw with Sundowns: Motsoeneng, Esterhuizen, Ouro-Akoriko, Cardoso, Mkhwanazi (Thebakang 89’), Wiltwer, Kerspuy, Masehe, Nomandela, Wome (Chivuta 88’), Mvula (Berrian 73’).
Celtic’s line-up from their 1-1 draw with SuperSport: Tignyemb, Mzava, Lawler (Motlhaping 31’), Nthethe, Mahoa, Mogorosi, Arwuah (Duiker 48’), Motshegwa, Manzini, Ntanga (Gamildien 70’), Bacela.
