AmaZulu will be looking to keep the pressure on their DStv Premiership title rivals this weekend, while struggling Marumo Gallants go in search of their first win of the season.
Usuthu are hoping to arrest a two-match winless run when they play host to Chippa United at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Brandon Truter's side moved up to second place in the standings following a 0-0 draw with Kaizer Chiefs as they bounced back from a 1-0 derby defeat to Golden Arrows.
Truter has bemoaned the congested fixture schedule which has seen games being played almost every three days since the campaign got underway and he's already having to deal with fatigue in his squad.
"We are not dealing with robots - for that matter machines break as well - these are human beings that we're dealing with and every three days running 10km in a game, 12km, 15km against Cape Town City, not even Comrades Marathon runners can do that," he said.
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Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns have already suffered two defeats and they play host to Golden Arrows at Tuks Stadium on Saturday evening determined to get their title challenge back on track.
The Brazilians saw a three-match unbeaten run come to an end at the hands of SuperSport United, who won the Tshwane derby 2-1 last week. Arrows are undefeated in their last four outings after they held on for a 3-2 win over Chippa United last weekend to move up to 10th position.
Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi is not too concerned by their early-season struggles and feels it will galvanise the team to re-focus their efforts.
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"For me, it's not a train smash, but there are warning signs, and it's good when these warning signs come early in the season so that you are not complacent," Mngqithi said.
"For us, we understand that probably it's good that it's happening so early in this season, so that will improve our focus because we will get punished if we are not aware."
SuperSport are on the up after a poor start to proceedings and they travel Maritzburg United on Friday evening seeking their third win in a row.
The Spartans went without victory in their opening four outings, but the derby triumph over Masandawana lifted them up to 11th place. The Team of Choice were in a similar situation, although two wins in their last three games saw them climb up seventh spot.
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates will attempt to get back on the winning trail when they welcome TS Galaxy to the Orlando Stadium.
The Buccaneers fell to a 1-0 defeat against Maritzburg last weekend, which halted a three-game unbeaten run and saw them replaced in pole position by Royal AM. The Rockets have made a strong start and find themselves sitting sixth despite losing for the first time this season against Cape Town City last time out.
Once again Pirates coach Jose Riveiro saw his players fail to take the numerous chances that came their way against the Team of Choice, but he is adamant the goals will soon start flowing.
"I am happy as long as we try to score and create scoring opportunities, because that's the only way we can score goals," Riveiro said. "It is about dynamics and we are in a period where it's taking a lot from us to capitalise on the scoring situations that we create."
Saturday's action also pits Swallows against Stellenbosch at the Bidvest Stadium, while Kaizer Chiefs will look to pile more misery on Marumo Gallants at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa are in turmoil after head coach Romain Folz failed to attend last weekend's 1-1 draw with Swallows, citing interference in team affair from management.
Gallants are third from bottom after going winless in their opening six encounters, having drawn five and lost one. Amakhosi are seeking their first win in three matches after losing 2-0 to Cape Town City and playing out to a goalless draw against AmaZulu.
The Glamour Boys are down in 12th position and head coach Arthur Zwane is worried by their lack of killer instinct in front of goal, having scored just four times in six outings.
"It is definitely a concern, especially when you are at home," Zwane said. "We create chances. It would have been another thing to say we don't create goalscoring opportunities.
"It gives us that task as coaches to focus more on our finishing and also those combinations in the final third entry. When we get the chemistry right, then we will be fine."
DStv Premiership fixtures:
Friday, Sept 9:
19h30: Maritzburg United v SuperSport United
Saturday, Sept 10:
15h00: AmaZulu v Chippa United
15h00: Swallows v Stellenbosch
17h30: Orlando Pirates v TS Galaxy
20h00: Mamelodi Sundowns v Golden Arrows
Sunday, Sept 11:
15h00: Marumo Gallants v Kaizer Chiefs
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