Orlando Pirates vs Polokwane City lineups, H2Hs, best bets – PSL

Orlando Pirates team during DStv Premiership game — Credit: Icon Sport

All three points will be up for grabs as Orlando Pirates go toe-to-toe with Polokwane City in the Premier Soccer League on Friday.

Pirates will be playing their 7th league game while City marks their 10th. It will be thrilling for the fans to see how the match unfolds for both teams at the end of hostilities.

☠️ ⚫️ 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 ⚫️

🏆 #DStvPrem
⚽️ @orlandopirates vs @polokwane_city
📆 Friday, 27 October 2023
🏟 Orlando Stadium
🕢 19h30
🎫 @TicketProSA 👉🏿 https://t.co/JlFxiSgIAz

⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/dhukD23kKL

— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) October 25, 2023

Orlando Pirates vs Polokwane City match preview

Orlando Pirates

Pirates are coming off a 0-0 draw with AmaZulu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in their last league outing. The result left the Buccaneers 16 points adrift of league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns with two games in hand.

Riveiro's side are down in 13th place after picking up maximum points in just two of their opening six matches following two draws and two defeats.

Nonetheless, Pirates have now gone unbeaten in their last three matches across all competitions, having picked up two wins and a draw, to bounce back from four straight defeats in September.

The Buccaneers will now look to get their league season back on track and try to walk their way up the league standings as they face off with a City side they've enjoyed a good run against in their last couple of matches.

Orlando Pirates team during a DStv Premiership game — Credit: Icon Sport

Polokwane City

Duncan Lechesa has watched his side grow in leaps and bounds since their promotion into the Premier Soccer League.

They recorded a resounding 4-1 victory over SuperSport United in the Carling Knockout Cup last Sunday and have gone unbeaten in the last four league matches, earning them 8 points from a possible 12 points.

Buoyed by their strong league showing in the past weeks, City can fancy finishing with a good result against the Buccaneers, who haven't convinced so far in the PSL.

Polokwane City are 5th on the table after nine league matches; they've obtained 14 points from four wins, two draws and two defeats.

Orlando Pirates vs Polokwane City probable lineups

Lechesa is expected to adopt a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Given Mashikinya playing just behind Hlayisi Chauke in the attack.

On the other hand, Jose Riveiro will likely make some changes from their last game; however, Monapule Saleng, Kermit Erasmus and Evidence Makgopa are expected to form the attack line in a 4-3-3 formation.

Here is how we think both coaches will line up their teams in this Premier Soccer League game:

Orlando Pirates

Chaine Sipho (GK); Bandile Shandu, Tapelo Xoki, Nkosinthani Sibisi, Deon Hotto; Thabang Monare, Miguel Timm, Patrick Maswanganyi; Monapule Saleng, Kermit Erasmus, Evidence Makgopa.

Polokwane City

Manuel Sapunga (GK); Langelihle Ndlovu, Lebohang Nkaki, Bulelani Nikani, Thabang Matuludi; Mokibelo Ramabu, Ndamulelo Maphangule, Oswin Appollis, Ndumiso Mabena; Given Mashikinya, Hlayisi Chauke.

Orlando Pirates vs Polokwane City confirmed lineups

*Lineups will be automatically updated shortly after they're released

Orlando Pirates vs Polokwane City head-to-head

It's worth mentioning that Orlando Pirates and Polokwane City have squared off against each other on many occasions. In the last nine years, these teams clashed 14 times.

As expected, Orlando Pirates lead in the head-to-head between these teams in that stretch, with seven wins, six draws and one loss.

It's important to mention that these teams last met in January 2020; as Polokwane City have played in the National First Division since then until this season. Here are the results of the last five meetings between these sides:

07 January 2020 – Polokwane City 1-4 Orlando Pirates
26 November 2019 – Orlando Pirates 3-2 Polokwane City
11 May 2019 – Orlando Pirates 3-0 Polokwane City
06 November 2018 – Polokwane City 1-2 Orlando Pirates
20 January 2018 – Orlando Pirates 1-1 Polokwane City

Orlando Pirates vs Polokwane City best bets

Clashes involving both teams have been entertaining to say the least, with lots of goals scored in their last five games. Considering how the results have panned out in their last skirmishes, we fancy three options as best bets for this encounter on Friday.