The Buccaneers’ slim title hopes were kept alive at the weekend after Sifiso Myeni’s goal nine minutes into injury-time gave them a 1-0 win over Bidvest Wits.
The defending champions will now be looking to make the most of their game in hand over both Amakhosi and Dikwena, and climb into second place with three matches to go after the midweek fixture.
Roger de Sa’s men will also be heavy favourites to secure the three points as they face a Chilli Boys side glued to the foot of the standings after managing just four wins all season.
Mark Harrison’s side did, however, hit back against fellow relegation candidates Ajax Cape Town at the weekend, securing a 1-1 draw against the 10-man Urban Warriors, although Chippa still remain three points from safety while also having played a game more than 15th-placed Black Leopards.
In team news, Pirates will have to do without Happy Jele after he earned an automatic one-match ban for picking up a fourth yellow card in the clash against the Students, but Daine Klate is available again after serving the same suspension in that match.
Oupa Manyisa could play some part after having returned to training last week following his recovery from a groin strain, while Benni McCarthy is set for another run out after having made his return against the Clever Boys.
Chippa have no suspension concerns to deal with but have no fewer than six players walking the yellow card tight-rope, with Martin Moonsamy, Vuyisile Ntombayithethi, Mkhanyiseli Siwahla, Masibusane Zongo, Stanton Lewis and Buyani Sali all one booking away from picking up respective one-game bans.
Also tonight, out of top 8 side Sundowns’ welcome Free State Stars at Loftus Stadium.
Other fixtures:
Wednesday: Ajax Cape Town v Kaizer Chiefs (Cape Town Stadium), University of Pretoria v Bidvest Wits (Tuks Stadium), Moroka Swallows v Golden Arrows (Dobsonville Stadium), AmaZulu v Black Leopards (Princess Magogo Stadium), Platinum Stars v Maritzburg United (Royal Bafokeng Stadium), Bloemfontein Celtic v SuperSport United (Free State Stadium).
Meanwhile, Arendse, 45, has been working behind the scenes with the Students as a goalkeeping coach after announcing his retirement from playing in 2009.
He watched on this weekend as Baron suffered a broken leg in the dying moments of Saturday’s defeat to Orlando Pirates, which left 17-year-old Jethren Barr the only available gloveman at Wits.
However, the former Santos, Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United shot-stopper has now come to the rescue by announcing his decision to return to the game, if indeed he is needed.
“We will be having seven or eight goalkeepers come on trial this afternoon,” Wits general manager George Mogotsi told SuperSport.
“They are all free agents and we will look at them up until tomorrow afternoon when Andre will make a call. But Andre has been registered already as a back-up, though he would prefer not to have to play!
“Hopefully we will find a keeper among the trialists who can do a job for us over the next three games.”
