Both teams need maximum points to keep the pressure on league leaders Orlando Pirates, who have 46 points, followed by Sundowns, on 37, and Chiefs, who have three less than their hosts.

Chiefs are ready for victory against their millionaire-assembled rivals who lost 5-2, a record league loss, to Golden Arrows on Wednesday. However, with the intense rivalry increasing with each game, recent form should not be considered.

The Brazilians have reported a few key injuries to their squad, while Ted Dumitru has a full strength team at his disposal. The dangerous striker Rotson Kilambe, the over-rated Peter Ndlovu, Raphael Chukwu and Manqoba Ngwenya will not make the starting line-up on Saturday. Yet, on paper, the starting 11 still seems formidable.

Both teams have former and potential national players in their highly paid camps and with ex-Chiefs players Brian Baloyi and David Kannemeyer moving to Chloorkop it adds fuel to their hot-blooded competition. The Downs website has suggested that the former Amakhosi captain will not make the starting line-up.

Dumitru, a former servant of Sundowns, definitely has the upper hand where selection is concerned while his equal, Angel Cappa, will possibly look to the sky for intervention as his supposed weakened team takes on the defending champions.

A win for Sundowns will move them within six points of Pirates and thus they remain second while victory for Chiefs will reduce the deficit by 10. However a draw for either team will certainly halt their quest in catching the 2002/03 league champs.