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Johannesburg - SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns will be out to prove that the Tshwane derby is the premier showdown in South African football on Saturday night.
Sandwiched inbetween a two-legged MTN semi-final that sees Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs do battle, the Pretoria giants are eager to illustrate they can do whatever their counterparts do - and do it better.
Bucs and Amakhosi drew 1-1 in their first match-up, with both camps promising to entertain their support base following a spate of drab Soweto derby draws.
United and Downs have no such need to advertise the entertainment value when they meet, as there is always an intriguing subplot to their clashes.
Last season, the quest for the league crown was a two-horse race, with Matsatsantsa losing the game against the Brazilians, but going on to lift the title.
In the 2008/2009 campaign, Sundowns were in with a tilt at the title until suffering a 4-1 hammering against their neighbours.
And to add fuel to the theory that the PSL should change its name to the Pretoria Soccer League, the championship trophy has remained in South Africa's capital since the 2005/2006 season.
Both sides have labelled each other as the favourites ahead of the tie, but Gavin Hunt has still maintained his desire to stick it to league-leaders Sundowns.
"It is not how you start, but how you finish it," said the coach who watched his men suffer a 3-0 defeat in their league opener against Wits.
"But we have to be cautious against Sundowns. They kept the nucleus of their team and their coach has stayed on and it certainly won't be easy for us.
"We have a lot of new players on the other hand and like I said it will be a big test for us as Sundowns are playing well at the moment.
"My job is to develop players, move them on but also win, so when we face Sundowns it is about winning despite all the changes. It will be a big test for us."
Two of the Brazilians' key players in Elias Pelembe and Katlego Mphela donned the SuperSport shirt before making their way to Chloorkop.
They are both expected to start on Saturday night, with Benedict Vilakazi the only absentee through injury.
SuperSport's list of missing players is less pretty though. Brent Carelse is serving the second game of his two-match ban after picking up a red card in the defeat to Wits.
Striker Glen Slamon is still out with a knee complaint, while Emille Baron (shoulder) and Bradley Carnell are also on the treatment table.
Midfielder Lebohang Mokoena wants to take advantage of Hunt's selection woes after twice missing on league title at the hands of SuperSport - with two different clubs.
"I was part of a team that was a runner-up last season and it was the same two season ago at Orlando Pirates. Really I can't take it any more," he said.
Will this season be third time lucky for 'Cheeseboy'? The derby will go some way in helping us judge.
Sandwiched inbetween a two-legged MTN semi-final that sees Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs do battle, the Pretoria giants are eager to illustrate they can do whatever their counterparts do - and do it better.
Bucs and Amakhosi drew 1-1 in their first match-up, with both camps promising to entertain their support base following a spate of drab Soweto derby draws.
United and Downs have no such need to advertise the entertainment value when they meet, as there is always an intriguing subplot to their clashes.
Last season, the quest for the league crown was a two-horse race, with Matsatsantsa losing the game against the Brazilians, but going on to lift the title.
In the 2008/2009 campaign, Sundowns were in with a tilt at the title until suffering a 4-1 hammering against their neighbours.
And to add fuel to the theory that the PSL should change its name to the Pretoria Soccer League, the championship trophy has remained in South Africa's capital since the 2005/2006 season.
Both sides have labelled each other as the favourites ahead of the tie, but Gavin Hunt has still maintained his desire to stick it to league-leaders Sundowns.
"It is not how you start, but how you finish it," said the coach who watched his men suffer a 3-0 defeat in their league opener against Wits.
"But we have to be cautious against Sundowns. They kept the nucleus of their team and their coach has stayed on and it certainly won't be easy for us.
"We have a lot of new players on the other hand and like I said it will be a big test for us as Sundowns are playing well at the moment.
"My job is to develop players, move them on but also win, so when we face Sundowns it is about winning despite all the changes. It will be a big test for us."
Two of the Brazilians' key players in Elias Pelembe and Katlego Mphela donned the SuperSport shirt before making their way to Chloorkop.
They are both expected to start on Saturday night, with Benedict Vilakazi the only absentee through injury.
SuperSport's list of missing players is less pretty though. Brent Carelse is serving the second game of his two-match ban after picking up a red card in the defeat to Wits.
Striker Glen Slamon is still out with a knee complaint, while Emille Baron (shoulder) and Bradley Carnell are also on the treatment table.
Midfielder Lebohang Mokoena wants to take advantage of Hunt's selection woes after twice missing on league title at the hands of SuperSport - with two different clubs.
"I was part of a team that was a runner-up last season and it was the same two season ago at Orlando Pirates. Really I can't take it any more," he said.
Will this season be third time lucky for 'Cheeseboy'? The derby will go some way in helping us judge.
