An inconsistent Mamelodi Sundowns will be looking to bounce back to winning ways when they meet Maritzburg United in an Absa Premiership clash at Woodburn Stadium on Friday night (kick-off 8pm).

The 'Brazilians' have struggled to put together a decent string of results at the start of the 2009/10 league season which has seen them win two games, lose three and draw three. Most recently, Sundowns lost 2-1 to Ajax in a Premiership fixture.

That loss has seen the 'Brazilians? slump to the bottom half of the table, in tenth place on only nine points from their first eight games.

"Maritzburg have a very clever coach in Gordon Igesund who plans for games very well and has assembled a good team this season," Sundowns captain Esrom Nyandoro told Backpagepix.

He added: "It is going to be tough but we have recovered from the disappointment of losing the last game and looking forward to the remainder of the season."

Maritzburg, who had a decent start to the season, have also been a bit disappointing of late and have been unable to register a win in their last three league outings. Their most recent fixture saw United play to a 1-1 draw against their KZN rivals, Golden Arrows.

Currently, the 'Team of Choice' are in eighth place on the log with ten points after winning two games, drawing four and losing two.

"We are playing against a formidable team on paper and we do not underestimate them because they can come right at any time. I have tremendous respect for Sundowns and it's going to be a tough game," said Igesund.

The two teams have only faced each other six times in official league matches. Of those six matches, Sundowns have won all of them.

In the corresponding fixture last season, the 'Brazilians' thumped United 3-0. In the reverse fixture, Sundowns were just as menacing and registered another 3-0 win.