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former champions Gunners at Maglas.
The platinum miners have been enjoying good form in their debut season and are eyeing the summit for the first time in the race with either a win or draw against Gunners in the rescheduled match that was postponed from the Week Five fixtures.
The Premiership moneybags have been impressive at home and have kept their record intact after winning all their matches at Maglas – gunning down Shooting Stars, Monomotapa, Blue Ribbon and Shabanie Mine in the historic Zvishavane derby.
The 2-2 draw against CAPS United on Saturday kept alive their good run as they currently sit in third place with 16 points, one behind leaders Motor Action and Chicken Inn who have played one game more.
Last year’s Golden Boot winner, Norman Maroto, will be hoping to break his duck against his former team while goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube will also line up against his former paymasters after both players shifted base to Zvishavane at the beginning of the season.
FC Platinum acting coach Philani Mabhena will be hoping to continue with the good run after collecting 10 points from four games since taking over after the tragic death of Benjamin Moyo.
Mabhena, who has several options in his pool of star-studded players, is likely to pin his hopes on an enterprising midfield industry built around Bekhimpilo Ncube, Menard Mupera, Thabani Kamusoko and in-form former Dynamos winger Benjamin Marere, who has scored in each of the club’s last three games.
They come up a Gunners side that has not won a match this season but whose potential cannot be underrated.
Gunners are under pressure to collect points after drawing three and losing four of their matches.
They currently anchor the table with three points.
Coach Darlington Dodo yesterday said they were going to throw everything at FC Platinum in search of the elusive victory.
“We are the underdogs and we cannot run away from that fact.
“FC Platinum have been playing well, and are the home team in this case, but we cannot afford to continue dropping points at this rate.
“As I have said before, our position on the table is not pleasing. We don’t deserve to be there.
“As much as we know the challenge posed by our opponents we will go out there and fight for a win,” said Dodo.
Gunners will be without their captain Qadr Amini and midfielder Ashley Rambanapasi who are in South Africa for trials.
Amini is wanted by Orlando Pirates while Rambanapasi is trying his luck at Platinum Stars.
“We will have to do without them. But this is a big setback to our game plan because these are key members of the team,” said Dodo.
Patrick Makuvaza, Cliff Sekete and Wellington Kamudyariwa provide options in midfield.
Defender Richard Khola has been ruled out after sustaining a deep cut above the eye in the 1-1 draw against Monomotapa over the weekend.