Mamelodi Sundowns are looking to extend their lead at the top of the DSTV Premiership table when they lock horns with rivals SuperSport United on Monday night.

The latest instalment of the Tshwane Derby will take place at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium with kick-off being 18:00 CAT.

Sundowns head into this clash at the back of a 2-1 victory against Chippa United last week and having been on an unbeaten run of 10 matches in the campaign so far.

The Brazilians are also the highest scoring team in the league so far scoring 32 goals in just 16 matches while also conceding the least number of goals (6).

Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated derby, Downs coach Rhulani Mokwena emphasised that his players must work hard and show respect to the opposition as they have a manager that is never short of solutions. 

"There was a time I think a couple of years ago where Gavin Hunt made reference to a honey badger, he compared Steve Komphela to a honey badger." Mokwena said 

Although that is the case, Mokwena will look to the likes of South American midfield maestro Marcelo Allende to be a crucial component in unlocking United's midfielders.

Allende has been been a regular in Mokwena' starting XI and with a good vision for those final passes, he could be the difference in this fiercely contested encounter. 

Themba Zwane is another player that will give Gavin Hunt and his chargers a run for their money, the Bafana Bafana international remains the heartbeat of Sundowns with his skill and ability to thrive on big occasions like the Tshwane Derby.

Meanwhile SuperSport will look to do a double over Sundowns after defeating them 2-1 in the reverse fixture last year September at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.

With the absence of goalkeeper Ricardo Goss and midfielder Grant Margeman due to being on loan from Sundowns, Hunt will be hoping to the services of Bradley Grobler and Luke Fleurs just to name a few to take Matsatsantsa a Pitori over the line.

Grobler who is the club's top goalscorer with 7 goals will seek to add on his tally by scoring against Sundowns, the forward is also a man for the big occasions and whether it is holding up play or running the channels, Grobler will pose many questions to the Sundowns backline.

A victory for Sundowns will take them to 43 points and continue to open the gap to 14 points over second placed Richards Bay FC while three points for Matsatsantsa a Pitori will see them move to the second spot on the log.