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Cape Town - SuperSport United will be desperate to put an end to their poor form when they host a red-hot Orlando Pirates side in their Absa Premiership clash on Wednesday.
Matsatsantsa have dropped down to 14th position in the league standings and are now only three points clear of the relegation zone with five games left in the campaign.
United are struggling for form ahead of the Pirates game, having lost 1-0 against Polokwane City in their last league outing before a 1-0 defeat to Gor Mahia in the CAF Confederation Cup play-offs.
“We always have to be positive because we are in this situation. We have to pick ourselves up and motivate the players and keep pushing," said SuperSport caretaker boss Kaitano Tembo.
“We are trying by all means to focus on our remaining matches. We take it game by game and not try put ourselves under pressure.
"We know where we are and we know what we need to do to get out of the situation. It’s also about getting that win and maybe that will take us out of the situation we are in."
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers have looked good in their recent Premiership fixtures, winning five consecutive games to stay within four points of league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Pirates' most recent game saw them beat Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1 thanks to goals from Augustine Mulenga and Musa Nyatama.
"We know that at present‚ things aren’t in our hands (in the title race). Whatever it is that we have in our hands that’s in line with our destiny - we’ll approach the last five games like a cup final," said Pirates head coach Milutin Sredojevic.
“I am happy that we’re in a position that will be leading us to Africa because the continent is missing Orlando Pirates. We shall do anything possible in the next five matches in order to achieve that goal.
“We also have to bear in mind that last year’s Caf Confederation Cup finalists (SuperSport United) lie in wait and that’s going to be a top challenge.”
In team news, SuperSport will be missing Morgan Gould due to suspension after he was shown a red card in the defeat to Polokwane City.
Kick-off is at 19:30.
