Chiefs alert to Stars threat

Cape Town - Platinum Stars have an opportunity to perhaps steal a point when they play against Kaizer Chiefs at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Read: Baxter expects tough Stars test

It is often said that Chiefs don’t have away matches in the Premiership, because the club’s fans base is so large. So, for the Amakhosi football fraternity, playing at an alternate venue this week is not expected to have a significant impact on the outcome of the fixture.

However, Platinum Stars have recently returned to winning ways in the league after beating Moroka Swallows 1-0 at the Dobsonville Stadium.

In addition, there is the distinct possibility that Chiefs will err on the side of caution against Stars, as no fewer than six of their players have accumulated three yellows.

That list includes George Maluleka, Kingston Nkatha, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Tsepo Masilela, Siboniso Gaxa and Willard Katsande. Either one of those players could be rested or if they all do play, Stuart Baxter might opt to use them sparingly.

Chiefs are still unbeaten this season but also have a series of tricky, yet important matches ahead of them in the build-up to the Christmas break.

Baxter is already without the services of defender Kgotso Moleko during this critical period and the jury is out on when Itumeleng Khune will be return to the starting XI again, in the eyes of Baxter.

The reality is that Chiefs are expected to be involved in a busy schedule next year, where they will compete in the CAF Champions League and the Nedbank Cup competitions. There are no reports suggesting that Baxter has thought that far ahead already but it seems likely that the fitness and health of players will be a consideration during the latter stages of 2014, if not against struggling teams like Platinum Stars.

For Dikwena, the season has not been as complicated as Chiefs'.

However, Allan Freese still has a considerable amount to think about this week. Eleazar Rodgers, Luvolwethu Mpete, Thabiso Semenya and Tshepo Gumede are all treading on dangerous turf, in terms of yellow cards.

Kaizer Chiefs host Platinum Stars at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday at 19:30. 

Follow Sport24's LIVE and interactive match commentary as Kaizer Chiefs aim to add Platinum Stars to the name of PSL victims this season.