Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane insists that his side are going to have to work hard for the win against a ‘tough’ Highlands Park side at Dobsonville Stadium on Friday.

The Brazilians have already played the Lions of the North on two occasions this campaign and won both encounters by one goal to zero.

This will be Sundowns’third game in the space of a week, having already beat Bidvest Wits in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals followed by a goalless draw against Orlando Pirates in the Absa Premiership.

Sundowns are currently second in the league standings with 45 points after 22 matches, while Highlands sit in eighth place on the log with 31 points after 24 matches.

‘We are stagnant in the league with results as we are in the same position, we have not moved down nor have we moved up. The only challenge is that the number of games left to play is getting smaller,’ Mosimane told his club’s official website.

‘You can ask any team in the PSL, Highlands are tough customers, it’s also a giant killer, a team that is very strong, works very hard, is very committed and we all know that you really earn your win. Sometimes with Highlands, it’s more than tactics.

‘The record is good against Highlands but we have to be honest, in football past records don’t really matter, they can give you an advantage or a psychological advantage but each and every game is a new game.’

Mamelodi Sundowns against Highlands Park kicks off at 6pm.