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Johannesburg - Mamelodi Sundowns will look to extend their winning streak to seven games when they host an in-from Bloemfontein Celtic at Loftus Stadium in an Absa Premiership game on Wednesday evening.
Kick-off is at 19:30.
Sundowns won their sixth successive league match on Saturday when they defeated log leaders Kaizer Chiefs 1-0.
Siwelele, on the other hand, extended their unbeaten streak in the league to seven matches with a 1-0 win over Platinum Stars on Sunday.
The win for the Brazilians saw them move level on points with log leaders Kaizer Chiefs while Phunya Sele Sele moved back into the top eight with their win over Dikwena.
Sundowns fullback Ramahlwe Mphahlele explained that the game in midweek against Celtic is as important as the game against the Amakhosi at the weekend.
“We believe that every game is as important as the one against Kaizer Chiefs that we won recently,” said Mphahlele
The 24-year-old also praised Ernst Middendorp for the good work he has done with Siwelele.
“Now we turn our focus to Bloemfontein Celtic. We know that Celtic have not lost in like seven games and this shows how they have improved under their new coach,” he added.
“They are very tactical and disciplined team under Ernst Middendorp and this will not be an easy test for Sundowns.”
Celtic midfielder Mogogi Gabonamong, who will return from suspension for the midweek clash, is expecting a tough game as Sundowns aim to keep the heat on the Glamour Boys.
“It will be a very tough game for both teams aiming for all three points. It will be very difficult and Sundowns know if they lose they will have another mountain to climb while from our side we can’t afford to throw points away if we want to finish in the top eight,” said the 31-year-old.
The Botswana national feels his side have what it takes to win their remaining five fixtures and subsequently finish in the top half of the table.
“We are very capable of beating Sundowns, we need to keep on collecting points and I feel all the teams we face from now till the end of the season are beatable. If we continue picking up points we will finish in a respectable position,” concluded Gabonamong.
In head-to-head stats, Sundowns and Celtic have met in 51 league matches since 1985.
The Brazilians have 25 wins compared to 11 for Phunya Sele Sele, with 15 matches ending all square.
When the teams met earlier this season in Bloemfontein, Abafana Ba’Style claimed a 3-1 away win.
Celtic will be without midfield duo Musa Nyatama and Wandisile Letlabika for the crucial clash, Nyatama is unavailable for selection due to a clause in his contract that disqualifies him for selection against ‘Downs while Letlabika is suspended.
Meanwhile, Katlego Mashego could return to the match day squad after recovering from injury while Hlompho Kekana will also miss the encounter due to suspension.
