CAPE TOWN - Struggling Milano United know the score ahead of their National First Division clash with hosts Real Kings in Durban on Saturday (3pm kickoff).
The men from Grassy Park find themselves in the bottom three on the 16-team table with nine games to play - two teams will be relegated.
A victory for a United side boasting more losses and the worst defensive record in the division would temporarily ease their plight, but a 13th no-pointer would be courting disaster.
“Past form is just that, our focus is on what faces us over the coming weeks. We play Kings on their home field and I do believe we can beat them,” said United’s coach, Boebie Solomons.
“Last time out we welcomed table-toppers Thanda Royal Zulu to the Athlone Stadium and we put up a good show in a 2-0 losing cause. Once again we never made the most of our glut of chances, that’s been our undoing for so long now.
“So the message to the boys up front is to finish off in front of goal.”
Meanwhile, high-flying Stellenbosch FC welcome mid-table AmaZulu to the Athlone Stadium.
Third-placed Stellenbosch come into the encounter off a 1-0 away win over Jomo Cosmos which improved their chances of contesting the season-ending promotional play-offs.
FC Cape Town entertain second-placed Black Leopards at the NNK Rugby Stadium. The Parow-based side are in 13th place but only six points clear of the relegation scrap. The African Beasts have gone goalless in their last three outings without losing and haven’t won from four attempts - they last won in February at Kings.
Their hard-working coach, Johnny Ferreira, needs to be given free rein and that means his support staff should back him to the hilt rather than bark instructions alongside him in the dugout.
Santos are one from bottom and in real danger of relegation. With only three wins from 21 outings, the People’s Team face an uncertain future. They’re up against hosts Thanda on Sunday and seem set to return home empty-handed. Thanda of Richards Bay have only been beaten once and enjoy an eight point lead at the summit, and are hot favourites to make a return to the elite league, the PSL.
Cape Town All Stars are also in action on the day at home to Cosmos at Athlone Stadium.