SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt is expecting one of the toughest fixtures of the season when the Absa Premiership champions meet newly promoted Jomo Cosmos at the Rand Stadium on Tuesday night (kick-off 7.30pm).

Hunt, who is happy with United's fourth place in the standings at present, said of the Premier Soccer League newcomers: "It is going to be a tough, tough 90 minutes. Cosmos are not an easy side to play against. I have watched them this season and I have been impressed by what I have seen."

On the season so far, where United are fourth with nine points, Hunt said, "It is early days and I do not want to be on top this stage of the campaign. Where we are at present is perfect."

Hunt is hoping that 'Ezenkosi' coach Jomo Sono will opt to attack the champions.

"Cosmos are at home and if they come to play we will be delighted and ready for them. They have the players to attack us and if they do that then it is going to be a really good game."

Hunt said he rated Cosmos's new Malian striker Aekou Kamara highly.

"Kamara is a different class. If Jomo plays him along with (Koena) Mathopa that would mean they will be prepared to take the game to us and that will suit me down to the ground."

Cosmos manager Andrew Rabutla agreed that Kamara is quality and would lead the attack against United, although he said Cosmos was not a one-man outfit..

"While Kamara is a quality player every player at Cosmos is a key player. We do not rely on one player. There are 11 players on the field who will all be fighting hard."

Sono has two other top Malian players in central midfielder Ousemane Berthe and defender Gasoussou Diarra in his line-up. Rabutla said it had taken some of the players a few games to adjust from playing in the First Division to the PSL but they were well on track now and more settled.

United defeated Moroka Swallows 4-2 at home last Wednesday and Hunt is likely to go with a similar starting line-up.

"We made some bad defensive mistakes against Swallows which we do not normally do. But we had a young energetic side against Swallows and I will use a similar team to play Cosmos."

Hunt will have his five Bafana Bafana players, goalkeeper Emille Baron, defenders Morgan Gould, Bongani Khumalo plus midfielders Siyabonga Nkosi and Daine Klate back for this clash.

The quintet helped Bafana defeat the part-timers form Madagascar 1-0 in a disappointing friendly international played in Kimberley on Saturday.

"The five Bafana players will only have one training session before the game where I will be able to assess them," said Hunt.

Ezenkosi appear to have bounced back with their 1-1 draw away to Santos after they were thumped 4-0 by leaders Orlando Pirates.

"We played well against Pirates and that score was not a true reflection of the game," said Rabutla. " We showed we have character by the way we took a point form Cosmos and we are up for the challenge against SuperSport."

Rabutla stressed that Cosmos had nothing to fear from the champions.

"We are not scared of any team. What gives us added confidence is playing at home at the newly renovated Rand Stadium. It is a fantastic venue. The atmosphere is great and the playing surface is brilliant. That means the players will be able to produce their best. We are ready and looking forward to hosting the champions."