Cape Town City will be hoping to claim maximum points when they tackle SuperSport United in their Absa Premiership opener at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

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The Citizens finished fifth in their second campaign in the PSL, two places below what they managed to achieve during their debut season, and will be hoping to improve their league position in the new season.

Matsatsantsa booked their place in the top eight by finishing seventh in the league standings after Ajax Cape Town withdrew their interdict to postpone the start of the 2018-19 season.

Cape Town City vs SuperSport United: Head to head

In two league meetings between the sides last season, the games failed to produce a winner as City held United to a 1-1 draw in Tshwane after playing to a goalless draw at Cape Town Stadium.

However, in four league clashes across two seasons, SuperSport are the only team to claim maximum points head-to-head following their 4-2 victory on home turf during the 2016-17 season.

With his debut season ‘done and dusted’, coach Benni McCarthy will be looking forward to the start of the new campaign as it gives him a chance to prove himself while also aiming to collect silverware.

The all-time leading Bafana Bafana top goal-scorer has bolstered his squad during the off-season after signing highly rated youngster Gift Links for a reported club record fee from Egyptian outfit Pyramids, while also capturing the services of Riyaad Norodien, Siphelele Mthembu, Kouassi Kouadja and Dutch goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburgh.

Meanwhile, SuperSport will be looking to improve on last season, after narrowly escaping relegation to end in the top eight.

Matsatsantsa have also appointed Kaitano Tembo as their new head coach, who took over the club’s reins after Eric Tinkler resigned earlier this year.

The Tshwane outfit have also bolstered their squad by acquiring the services of former Bidvest Wits striker James Keene, ex-AmaTuks goalkeeper Washington Arubi and defender Luke Fleurs from Ubuntu Cape Town while bidding farewell to Tefu Mashamaite and Kingston Nkhatha.

The match at Cape Town Stadium kicks off at 6pm.