Daily Sun (December 5 2014) - AMAKHOSI are the favourites, but will they retain their unbeaten record?
Can the Bucs, with their backs against the wall, surprise the experts?
TOMORROW, MILLIONS OF SOCCER FANS WILL GET THEIR ANSWER.
It's as if the world comes to a standstill whenever the two Soweto giants step onto the pitch.
Tomorrow at 3.30pm, FNB Stadium will be packed with fans dressed either in yellow or in black, and millions of viewers will be in front of TV sets around the country, cheering for their teams.
Kaizer Chiefs are the bookmakers' overwhelming favourites. The Amakhosi are running away with the Premiership title.
They are unbeaten in 13 matches and have collected 33 points, 11 more than second placed Ajax Cape Town.
On the other hand, pressure is building on the demoralised
Orlando Pirates. The Buccaneers have a match in hand but they have only 18 PSL points.
Star Amakhosi striker Bernard Parker, who scored a brace against Bidvest Wits, said: "Pirates are the ones under pressure. We're clear and we're looking forward to a positive result."
"My goals were a big boost for me and the win has helped build our confidence."
While Chiefs' outstanding form under head coach Stuart Baxter is a major reason for their confidence, Pirates are in a mess as never before.
Bucs were stunned on Wednesday when head coach Vladimir "VV" Vermezovic resigned after fans pelted him with missiles after Pirates lost 2-1 to Maritzburg United on Tuesday night. Fans have been calling for him to go for some time.
Assistant coach Eric Tinkler, who took charge when Roger de Sa resigned in January, is back at the helm for the derby.
Fans are also still recovering from the tragedy of losing their star goalkeeper and captain Senzo Meyiwa, who was killed in a shooting incident in October. Their new goalkeeper, Brighton Mhlongo (23) is playing in his first derby.
On the other hand, Chiefs' rookie keeper Brilliant Khuzwayo (24) has lived up to his name and has been in "brilliant" form since he took over from injured Itumeleng Khune in September.
A lot rests on the shoulders of new Bucs skipper Oupa Manyisa to rally his dejected troops. Manyisa will have to stop the Chiefs midfield machine, where he will come up against derby veterans Siphiwe Tshabalala, Reneilwe "Yeye" Letsholonyane and Willard Katsande in what promises to be a no holds barred battle.
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