Orlando Pirates Reserves return to a more familiar backdrop on Match Day 3 of this season’s DStv Diski Challenge as they host Soweto rivals Moroka Swallows at Rand Stadium on Saturday morning
It’s the first home game of the 2023/24 campaign for the Bucs Reserves, who are gearing up for yet another Soweto Derby early on in the season.
Form Guide
The hosts find themselves in the top half of the table in fourth place, still unbeaten in their two games played so far.
They began their campaign with an away draw against Kaizer Chiefs and picked up three points on the road against Richards Bay in their most recent outing, where they scored in each half to grab a 2-0 victory.
Now two points from the top of the standings, they will want to make their first taste of home-ground advantage count against their neighbours on Saturday.
For Swallows, the fixture presents another attempt in their search for their first win of the season, and currently occupy 13th place on the table two games in.
They grabbed their only point so far in their season opener at home to TS Galaxy, where they relinquished a one-goal advantage en route to a 1-1 result.
This was followed by defeat to current log leaders Royal AM, who bagged a 2-0 victory in their encounter last Sunday.
Head-to-Head
While this is the oldest surviving rivalry in the top flight at senior level, the two clubs have met a total of five times in the Reserve League with their first encounter dating back to May 2021.
Each of the five previous encounters has produced a winner, with the Buccaneers edging their Soweto rivals with three victories while also leading in the goal-scoring stakes with 11 goals scored and just five conceded.
It is however the Birds who go into the clash with fresher memories of derby success, following their 1-0 win at Rand Stadium towards the end of last season.
How to Follow Orlando Pirates Reserves vs Moroka Swallows Reserves
The game kicks off at 10:00 and will not be televised. You can follow the action by keeping an eye on live updates posted across Orlando Pirates social media platforms, as well as the Club’s official mobile app.
Entry at the match venue is free.
