Kick off is at 19h30.
From the tragic passing of Gift Leremi to off field controversies surrounding Afzal Khan and Alex Shakoane, and the below average form of Gordon Igesund’s defending League champions, one would have to say that the first five months of the present season, aside from a triumph in the SAA Supa8, are ones the Brazilians would rather forget.
But before they can get some much needed breathing space in the mid-season break, they must first overcome the challenge of Platinum Stars on Wednesday before their final match of the year away to Free State Stars on Saturday.
Many have already written off the Brazilians’ title hopes, but such condemnation is premature for a team that has won back-to-back titles and possesses a very useful squad. Victory over Stars would put them just seven points adrift of leaders Ajax Cape Town, hardly an insurmountable obstacle as the season hits its midway point.
Yet there is a sense that unless Sundowns get back to winning ways, and quickly, the chance to win three successive titles for a second time in the last decade will slip beyond their reach.
This then, is a key fixture for Igesund’s side, although the same could be said of Stars, who will have new manager Miguel Gamondi, the man who co-coached Sundowns to the 2005/06 title, at the helm for the first time.
Nine League matches without a win has left the Tycoons stuck at the bottom of the table but should they break that streak and pick up three points against ‘Downs, they will actually draw level with the Brazilians on points.
A repeat of their 2-0 win over Sundowns from April earlier this year would do the trick, although that is Stars’ only win over the Brazilians in eight League matches since the Tycoons were promoted to the top flight ahead of the 2003/04 season.