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Cape Town - Cape Town City will be hoping to move to the top of the PSL when they welcome Mamelodi Sundowns to Athlone Stadium on Friday.
The Citizens have performed well beyond their early-season expectations and find themselves firmly within a five-horse title race along with SuperSport United, Bidvest Wits, Kaizer Chiefs and the Brazilians.
"It will be tough," City coach Eric Tinkler told IOL ahead of the game. "But, in my mind, if we win against Sundowns, then we have to consider that we could be potential title winners."
Pitso Mosimane's side lost the reverse fixture at Loftus Versveld in October, after Lebogang Manyama's brace inflicted a 2-1 defeat on Sundowns.
Despite their current position of fifth, the defending champions also have a chance of climbing to the league summit with three points, while holding five games in hand over Tinkler's men.
Mosimane reserved praise for his counterpart ahead of the highly-anticipated encounter, saying: "They [Cape Town City] have got a coach who really wants to put a mark for his career and who also feels maybe at Pirates he was not given (a proper) opportunity.
"Now he wants to show us and say 'I have my chance now and I am taking it' and he has been doing exceptionally well."
Hlompho Kekana is the most notable absentee due to suspension after picking up his fourth yellow card of the season in the 0-0 draw with Chippa United on Tuesday, although midfield partner Tiyani Mabunda returns from suspension.
Masandawana will also be without injured quartet Denis Onyango, Anele Ngcongca, Anthony Laffor and Khama Billiat.
City, meanwhile, have no suspensions but Thabo Nodada and Samora Motlaung remain sidelined through injury.
Kick off is at 20:00.
