Defending Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates will look to extend their eight-match streak without losing to arch-rivals Amakhosi on Saturday and will delve into a few aspects that can influence the outcome of the upcoming encounter.

Key player availability

Both teams will be hoping to have their key players fully fit ahead of the crucial league clash on Saturday following various injuries in both camps this season.

Chiefs have welcomed back captain Brandon Petersen, defenders Pakisa Mako and Rushwin Dortley and midfielder Lebohang Maboe ahead of the derby, boosting their line-up but will be without long-term absentees Siphesihle Ndlovu and marquee signing Langelihle Phili.

Meanwhile, Bucs will have a full quota of players to choose from following the recent return of Thalente Mbatha and Evidence Makgopa to action, while Sihle Nduli remains an option after returning to training.

Possession versus counter?

This season, Orlando Pirates have been dominant in ball possession in their fixtures aside from their fixtures while Kaizer Chiefs have been mostly reliant on fast counter attacking transitions.

It will be interesting to see Amakhosi's approach for the derby, whether they will allow Bucs to have the ball and wait to break or rather chose to dictate the match through possession.

Abdeslam Ouaddou's side is likely to stick to their possession-based strategy for this clash.

Derby experience

Amakhosi will boast a team that has featured in more Soweto derbies than Orlando Pirates squad which has seen numerous new inclusions dominate starting line-up selections.

For Chiefs, only Thabo Moloisane is likely to make his first Soweto derby appearance, while for Pirates, Camren Dansin, Thapelo Mokobodi, Simphiwe Selepe, Sbangani Zulu, Bulelani Sigomoshe, Gamphani Lungu have yet to feature in this encounter.

Clean sheet

Orlando Pirates comes into the match on the back of seven league matches without conceding a goal, while Kaizer Chiefs have conceded seven goals in their last seven Betway Premiership fixtures.

Based on those stats, Chiefs will have to work hard to contain a defensively resolute but attacking Pirates side that has scored eleven goals without conceding since their MTN8 final loss to Mamelodi Sundowns.

Historical results

Amakhosi will also be targeting their first win over arch-rivals Pirates since the 2022/23 season after failing to win their last six derbies, losing five consecutive times before their 1-1 draw in April.

However, Chiefs are unbeaten in their last three home fixtures against Bucs.

Steve Barker in awe of current Stellenbosch squad