Thanda Royal Zulu and Maritzburg United will play for their Absa Premiership survival when they meet at the Mpumalanga Stadium on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

Thanda kept up their hopes of avoiding the promotion/relegation playoffs when they came from behind to defeat Platinum Stars in midweek, with Sibusiso Hadebe and Clifford Mulenga scoring the all-important goals.

Maritzburg ensured that they just need to avoid defeat against their hosts in order to secure their place in the Premiership by drawing 1-1 with Free State Stars. Fadlu Davids helped his side come from behind to claim a point.

The scenario is quite straightforward: a Thanda win sees them draw level with United, but as they already have a superior goal difference they would leapfrog them and be assured of safety. Anything less and 'Amabhubesi' will go to the playoffs.

For the 'Team of Choice', a win or draw equals top flight football next season. A loss means they will drop below Thanda and then have to hope that Bloemfontein Celtic do not beat Free State Stars.

The two relegation threatened teams have met on just three previous occasions in top flight league football.

Their two league games from the 2006/07 season saw United take four points from Thanda (then known as Benoni Premier United) with a 2-0 away win and a 1-1 draw at home.

The league game between the clubs earlier this season saw Thanda claim a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Felix Obada and Nkosinathi Nhleko.

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