Leopards have won 13 of the 18 games they have played since Zeca Marques took over as head coach at the beginning of the year, and will also be encouraged that Promotion/Relegation Play-Offs historically favour First Division teams.
In comparison, Swallows have won just thrice in 14 matches in 2015 with two of those wins falling under the reign of Craig Rosslee, who has been in charge for six games.
Marques will also be buoyed by the fact that he is returning to a familiar environment having spent the last six years there before he resigned in October last year.
READ: Marques: Beating Chiefs will help us
It is evident that Leopards’ qualification for the Play-Offs has been down to the expertise of Marques, who moved the club from eleventh position when he took over back in January to third.
What really gives Lidoda Duvha the edge is the fact that they already have three points in the bag in this mini-league after their 2-0 win over Jomo Cosmos at a packed Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday, and they will know the importance of avoiding defeat tonight.
Leopards will, however, be without influential striker Roggert Nyundu – who has scored 18 goals in 17 league and cup matches – as he is serving a suspension.
However, also of significance is the fact that while Leopards have only lost twice this year – once in the NFD and once in the Nedbank Cup – out of 17 games their opponents tonight have suffered nine defeats including five in a row at the start of the year.
Ironically, during that same period when Swallows were losing five in a row Leopards were doing the opposite, recording victories in their first five games of 2015.
Noteworthy is that Leopards have been enjoying a winning run and collecting points while Swallows have spent most of their time hanging as a punching bag.
What also amplifies Leopards’ hopes is that these Promotion Playoffs have been won by First Division clubs in seven of the 10 years they have been in existence.
Only Polokwane City (2013/14), Mpumalanga Black Aces (2009/10) and AmaZulu (2006/07) have been able to retain their PSL status after falling into the Promotion/Relegation Play-Offs since this method was introduced at the end of the 2004/05 season.
Black Aces (2012/13 and 2008/09), Chippa United (2011/12), Jomo Cosmos (2010/11), Bay United (2007/08), Benoni Premier United (2005/06) and Tembisa Classic (2004/05) have found their way up into the Premiership from the First Division through the Play-Off door.
After tonight’s game Swallows will make the short trip to the Vaal to face Cosmos on Sunday, with Ezenkosi remaining hosts for the visit of Leopards next Wednesday. Lidoda Duvha then welcome Swallows the following Sunday.
Swallows and Cosmos close off the Play-Offs on June 3 in Dobsonville.