Phakaaathi’s Jonty Mark and Khaya Ndubane give their views on who will win, and why.
Why Stars will win (Jonty Mark, Phakaaathi Editor)
Free State Stars are enjoying a healthy revival under Luc Eymael, with Ea Lla Koto losing just one of their last eight league games under the wise hand of their Belgian head coach.
On Sunday, Eymael takes his side to face Bloemfontein Celtic, a club he joined last season, though he was not ultimately allowed to coach Phunya Sele Sele after a the Premier Soccer League upheld a complaint from Polokwane City that he was still contracted to them.
The Belgian finally resolved his dispute with City in July, and joined Stars just two games into the 2017/18 campaign. After a slow start, Eymael has worked wonders at Ea Lla Koto, though Wednesday’s 2-1 win at home to Golden Arrows was their first in five league matches. Edward Manqele has found some scoring form back at Stars after returning from a poor spell at Kaizer Chiefs, and already has three league goals, though he may not play against Celtic after fracturing his ribs in last month’s 1-1 draw with Chippa United.
Even so, I expect Stars to be too good for Celtic on Sunday, with Veselin Jelusic’s side still reeling after the 1-0 loss to Bidvest Wits in the Telkom Knockout final. Celtic also lost to Orlando Pirates in their previous league game, and while Phunya Sele Sele’s legs should still be fresh after their midweek game against AmaZulu was abandoned, I still expect Stars to emerge as 1-0 winners.
Prediction: Bloemfontein Celtic 0 Free State Stars 1
Why Celtic will win (Khaya Ndubane, Online Content Manager)
Without a doubt, stats favour Stars going into today’s Free State derby. Ea Lla Koto have won three of the last five clashes between the sides, with the other two ending in draws. However, history will show that stats count for nothing when it comes to derbies. It always comes down to which team is better prepared on the day. Plus, Celtic have done well under the tutelage of new mentor Veselin Jelusic, in fact they went all the way to the final of the Telkom Knockout only to lose by an odd goal to Wits last Saturday. This is the first Free State derby for the Serbian coach and he would be looking to cement his place in the hearts of the Siwelele supporters, who are already happy with his contribution in their team so far. It’s going to be a tight game, but Celtic will edge Stars and emerge victorious today.
Prediction: Bloemfontein Celtic 1 Free State Stars 0
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