Struggling Free State Stars will be looking to cause an upset when they take on an in-form Mamelodi Sundowns in an Absa Premiership match at Goble Park on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3.30pm).

Stars come into the game off the back of yet another away draw: a 0-0 stalemate with Ajax Cape Town in midweek. The Free State side have drawn all eight of their matches on the road this season.

'Ea Lla Koto' and new coach Gordon Igesund will be desperate to start picking up some victories, as they are lying perilously close to the danger zone. Stars are placed 14th on the log, with 14 points to their name.

"Playing Sundowns has never been easy, they look like they have finally found their footing, but as much as they need the maximum points to close the gap opened by SuperSport; we also need points to move away from relegation zone," Stars skipper Duncan Lechesa told the club's official website.

He added: "I must say the spirit in the camp is very high following midweek good results, so it is up to us to continue where we left off as far as displaying good performance is concerned.

"We are playing at home we need to attack them from the first whistle and don't give them the space to play, because that is where they are dangerous, they enjoy patient build ups from the back."

In contrast to Stars, Sundowns appear to have no trouble picking up victories. The Tshwane side have won four of their last five games and in midweek scored a morale-boosting victory over Orlando Pirates.

The 'Brazilians' could yet mount a charge for the title and challenge cross-town rivals SuperSport United. ?Downs are placed fourth on 28 points, eight adrift of leaders 'Matsatsantsa'.

The teams have met 40 times in the league since 1986, with Sundowns winning 16 games to Stars nine and outscoring the Free State side 51 goals to 38.

However, when 'Ea Lla Koto' play hosts the head-to-head record is much tighter between the teams. In 20 league meetings in the Free State, Sundowns have won seven games and Stars six.

When the teams met earlier this season the game ended 1-1; it was the third successive Absa Premiership draw between the two sides, as their league matches last season both ended all square.