IT IS dog eat dog in the PSL as several relegation dogfights will bring the curtain down on the 2016-17 Absa Premiership tomorrow (3pm).
Baroka FC, Highlands Park, Free State Stars, Chippa United and Bloemfontein Celtic are all in a battle to avoid the axe.
The bottom club will automatically go down to the National First Division while the side ending 15th at 5pm tomorrow will go into the play-offs.
Highlands Park are bracing for a “cup final” when they host Mamelodi Sundowns at Tembisa’s Makhulong Stadium.
Highlands need to win to stay in the PSL while Downs need to win to make sure they finish runners-up to champions Bidvest Wits and qualify for next year’s Caf Champions League.
If Highlands beat Downs and Cape Town City beat Polokwane City away, the Champions League defending champions will finish third and play in the second tier Confederation Cup instead.
Highlands caretaker coach Les Grobler says it will be a one-off final with both teams needing to win for different reasons. “It’s up to us. We have given ourselves a fighting chance.”
Highlands are 15th on 26 points – one better than Baroka.
Downs showed they have depth when they hammered DR Congo giants AS Vita Club 3-1 in Kinshasa in their Champions League Group C clash on Wednesday – played without seven regulars.
Grobler is without suspended central defender Junior Sibande and attacking midfielder Peter Shulile. But key will be veteran striker Collins Mbesuma.
Baroka face a tough away clash against Ajax Cape Town at the Cape Town Stadium. Ajax have vowed to do Baroka no favours as they need to win to ensure they finish in the top eight. Bakgaga will be relying on their giant keeper Oscarine Masuluke to keep a clean sheet.
FS Stars and Chippa clash at Goble Park. Both sides have 27 points and the winner will survive the chop. A draw could see both sweating on other results.
An improved Maritzburg United will be out to cement their top eight spot when they host Celtic at Harry Gwala Stadium. Phunya Sele Sele need a point to survive.
- ALSO SEE PAGES 36 & 37.