Betway Premiership: Mamelodi Sundowns target top spot against winless Magesi

Currently third with 11 points, Sundowns can overtake joint-leaders Sekhukhune United and Kaizer Chiefs - who play each other on Tuesday - with a win.

This will be the second meeting in a few weeks between the sides, after Sundowns won 2-0 away at Seshego on August 20. On that occasion, Jayden Adams and Peter Shalulile got on the scoresheet for the Brazilians in a match which Magesi went down to 10 men after the sending off of Lehlohonolo Mtshali.

Striker Lebo Mothiba was asked whether playing against the same side in a matter of weeks would be an advantage or not, the 29-year-old said:

"It's not a tricky thing mentally, we're all professionals and everyone here has experience. It's a good thing that we're playing them again now because we saw how they play.

"We're ready for them because at training we've been working really hard and I feel like all the players are ready for Sunday's game. I think we all know their style of play and we all know they are more direct with long balls and big strikers, so we're prepared for anything."

Sundowns will welcome back eight players from international duty, including Shalulile, who scored a hat-trick for Namibia during the break. The team remains unbeaten this season, with three wins and two draws, and are looking to build momentum after a slow start.

Magesi, meanwhile, are still chasing their first victory of the campaign. With three draws and two defeats, they sit 14th on the log and risk falling into the relegation zone. A 1-1 draw with AmaZulu in their last match showed promise, but finishing remains a major concern.

A win over the defending champions would be a huge lift forJohn Maduka's side - not just for points, but for belief. For Sundowns, this is a must-win if they want to assert early dominance in the title race.