National cups are something special for many teams and supporters. Today's match will decide whether it's Orlando Pirates or Bidvest Wits that keep their silverware dream alive.
Both teams should be fairly well rested for this game, as they have had some quiet days to prepare. Hopefully this will translate into lots of action on the pitch.
There's local pride at stake here, as these teams are practically neighbours. Expect lots of passion from both players and supporters.
Orlando Pirates form and stats
Orlando Pirates was eliminated in the 16th finals last season in the Nedbank Cup.Orlando Pirates are steadily winning Premier League games and points here at Rand Stadium. 7 wins, 3 draws and 0 defeats is the summary from 10 games. In general it's been a long time since Orlando Pirates tasted defeat here at Rand Stadium, as they have taken at least one point from their last 31 home games. The team is doing great wherever they are playing as Orlando Pirates has won five games in a row. The Bloemfontein Celtic match was the last time out without a victory.
Orlando Pirates are returning here after visiting Chippa United in a Premier League game and winning with a 2-1 scoreline. F. Mhango (2) scored the goal(s). Before that, Orlando Pirates had a Premier League home game versus AmaZulu which ended with a victory 1-0.
The bookmakers consider this a fairly even contest. One could say only the home advantage separates the teams. It could be relevant to look at how Orlando Pirates have performed in matches similar to this (as small favourites). Our database has found six matches with the results: Won three, drawn two and lost one.
A decent goal production from Orlando Pirates in their home games so far, with 19 goals from 10 league matches. From these home matches, Orlando Pirates have conceded only 9 goals.
Bidvest Wits form and stats
Bidvest Wits's mission in Nedbank Cup last season failed in the quarter-finals.The away team have been very comfortable on their travels so far, racking up 5 wins, 2 draws and only 1 loss in the Premier League.
The manager G. Hunt was unhappy after their last game, a CAF Confederations Cup match played at their home ground BidVest Stadium. Bidvest Wits suffered a 0-2 loss to Djoliba. A 1-2 defeat away at Horoya before that.
So, this is expected to be a close game, an even contest. Looking at earlier matches with Bidvest Wits playing away and similar expectations, we found six relevant matches. Results were three Bidvest Wits wins, two draws and one defeat.
The visitors are returning home after this fixture, hosting Maritzburg United in just three days.
Bidvest Wits are scoring more than one goal per away game on average, having accumulated 9 away goals from 8 games (in the league). Bidvest Wits are tight as a drum on their travels, having allowed the opposition only 3 goals away.
Head 2 Head
Head-to-head totals (for the last ten meetings): Orlando Pirates won two games, zero matches ended with a draw and Bidvest Wits has eight wins. Over 2,5 goals / under 2,5 goals: three / sevenTop Goalscorers
  H. Mhango 14 goals |  T. Mabaso 6 goals |   G. Motupa 5 goals |
Orlando Pirates missing players
Bidvest Wits missing players
| Orlando Pirates | Bidvest Wits | ||||||
| Total | Home | Statistics | Stat | Away | Total | ||
| 25 | 13 | Played | P | 13 | 25 | ||
| 11 | 8 | Won | W | 5 | 11 | ||
| 8 | 4 | Drew | D | 3 | 6 | ||
| 6 | 1 | Lost | L | 5 | 8 | ||
| 38 | 21 | Scored | S | 11 | 32 | ||
| 30 | 11 | Conceded | C | 11 | 24 | ||
| 88% | 85% | Over 0.5 | O 0.5 | 92% | 88% | ||
| 60% | 54% | Over 1.5 | O 1.5 | 54% | 64% | ||
| 52% | 46% | Over 2.5 | O 2.5 | 23% | 36% | ||
| 40% | 38% | Over 3.5 | O 3.5 | 0% | 12% | ||
| 20% | 15% | Over 4.5 | O 4.5 | 0% | 12% | ||
| 56% | 54% | BTTS | BTTS | 38% | 36% | ||
| 28% | 38% | Clean Sheets | C S | 38% | 40% | ||
| 28% | 23% | Failed to Score | F T | 31% | 36% | ||
| 7 | 7.1 | Corners for (avg) | C F | 4.9 | 5.4 | ||
| 4.3 | 4 | Corners against (avg) | C A | 2.8 | 3.2 | ||
| 2.1 | 2 | Yellow cards (avg) | Y C | 2.1 | 1.8 | ||
| 3 | 2 | Red cards | R C | 2 | 3 | ||
| 282 | 173 | Total Shots | T S | 91 | 251 | ||
| 109 | 66 | Shots on Target | S O | 32 | 85 | ||
| 34% | 32% | Goal Efficiency | G E | 28% | 35% | ||
| Total | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||||
| # | Team | MP | W | D | L | F | A | MP | W | D | L | F | A | MP | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | P |
| 1 | Kaizer Chiefs | 19 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 38 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 7 | 24 | 45 |
| 2 | Orlando Pirates | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 34 | 25 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 19 | 9 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 16 | 9 | 36 |
| 3 | Mamelodi Sundowns | 18 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 24 | 14 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 35 |
| 4 | SuperSport United | 21 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 30 | 20 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 20 | 11 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 34 |
| 5 | Bidvest Wits | 15 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 21 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 9 | 30 |
| 6 | Maritzburg United | 20 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 16 | 16 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 27 |
| 7 | Golden Arrows | 20 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 18 | 24 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 15 | -6 | 27 |
| 8 | Highlands Park | 20 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 21 | 26 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 15 | -5 | 26 |
| 9 | Bloemfontein Celtic | 19 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 30 | 26 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 19 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 4 | 25 |
| 10 | Cape Town City | 21 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 26 | 29 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 12 | 19 | -3 | 24 |
| 11 | Stellenbosch | 21 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 20 | 26 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 16 | -6 | 24 |
| 12 | Chippa United | 21 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 14 | 20 | 11 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 14 | -6 | 22 |
| 13 | Baroka | 21 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 12 | 18 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 6 | -6 | 20 |
| 14 | Black Leopards | 20 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 18 | -10 | 20 |
| 15 | AmaZulu | 21 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 12 | 24 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 11 | -12 | 20 |
| 16 | Polokwane City | 21 | 5 | 2 | 14 | 16 | 28 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 16 | -12 | 17 |