The match at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium (7:30pm CAT) pits a hungry home side against a visiting team looking to steady itself after a turbulent few weeks.

Sundowns top the table on goal difference from Orlando Pirates, having played a game more, but arrive under scrutiny after a frustrating 2-2 CAF Champions League draw with Al Hilal that sparked visible unrest among supporters at Loftus Versfeld. Miguel Cardoso's side have lost just once in 14 league matches, yet five draws have prevented them from pulling clear, and speculation around the coach's future continues to swirl.

Sekhukhune, meanwhile, have slipped to fifth after a winless start to 2026, following a 1-0 defeat to Stellenbosch and a goalless draw with Pirates. Despite these setbacks, Babina Noko have shown they can compete with the league's best, taking points from both Soweto giants earlier this season. Head coach Eric Tinkler has been vocal about the need for his team to improve.

"If you collect maximum points, you get into a really good position," Tinkler said. "Some of the contributions we've seen haven't been enough. The expectation from me and the club is more." He added that Sekhukhune's challenge is consistency, pointing out that dropped points against lower-ranked teams have hurt their momentum.

For Sundowns, midfielder Teboho Mokoena is aware of the challenge posed by a confident Sekhukhune side.

"They are a good team and it won't be easy," Mokoena said. "But if we match their hunger with our quality, we can get the result we need."

Key players will be vital in determining the outcome. Veteran striker Bradley Grobler remains central to Sekhukhune's hopes despite a six-game goal drought, while Sundowns winger Arthur Sales has been increasingly influential following Lucas Ribeiro's departure. On paper, Sundowns have dominated recent meetings, winning all five of the last league encounters, but this fixture promises a tighter contest given current circumstances.

With both momentum and morale at stake, Tuesday's clash is more than just three points - it is a test of temperament, consistency, and title credentials for both sides.

Brayan Leon hails dream start at Mamelodi Sundowns after scoring on debut