Cosmos are a team in trouble, currently occupying second last place on the PSL table, four points adrift of 14th placed Thanda Royal Zulu. But with six games to go there is still a chance that Ezenkosi can claw their way out of the relegation zone.

Thus every point will be vital for Cosmos, as was demonstrated by their recent 0-0 draw against Orlando Pirates, a result which will given the team renewed hope coming into the clash against the Peoples' Team.

Incredibly, Jomo Sono's men have now played out to five 0-0 league score-lines on the trot, showing that while they have got things right at the back, they are still struggling to convert chances up front.

"In the game against Pirates, we showed we can play good football. We were able to create chances and get into the box. That is what we should always do in all the remaining games," assistant coach Collin Tlemo told the official Cosmos website.

Centre back pairing Thapelo Tshilo and Valery Nhayo are uncompromising players, but fortunately for Santos inspirational skipper Nhayo sits this game out through suspension.

Defender Morgan Gould is also out suspended, leaving Ezenkosi rather short at the back, although they do still have the experience of former Dynamos defender Gerald Mtshali to call upon, as well as the return to fitness of Namibian international Sydney Plaatjies.

In between the poles, goal keeper Avril Phali is a fantastic shot stopper who on his day has few peers in the Premiership.

The danger-men in the middle of the park for the visitors are likely to be speedy winger Dikgang Mabalane, who has been one of the few shining lights in a struggling side and has the ability to deliver quality crosses, and the boss’s son, Bamuza Sono, who can make things happen with his creativity and vision.

These two in particular will need to be carefully monitored by Engen Santos. Up front, former Bafana Bafana striker Nkosinathi Nhleko has been firing blanks in his second spell with the club, but is a powerful runner whose ability should not be underestimated.

Much was expected of his fellow striker, Geoffrey Massa, whose Premiership career has not yet taken off, although he did show glimpses earlier in the season of his potential threat in front of goal.

Statistics point to Santos having the better record against Cosmos over the years - they have won 12 matches to Cosmos' nine in the 27 league games since 1991, in the process scoring 40 goals against Cosmos' 33.

But word coming out of the Santos camp this week is that coach David Bright and his boys will not be taking Ezenkosi lightly and this highlights the belief that on the night past statistics can count for very little.

Cosmos’ most recent starting XI

100 A Phali (G)

4 S Tshilo (D)

23 M Gould (D)

5 V Nahayo (D)

22 B Macala (S)

33 G Mtshali (D)

20 B Sono (M)

15 I Ntsume (M)

27 D Mabalane (S)

19 G Massa (S)

11 N Nhleko (S)

How do you think Santos will fare against Cosmos?

Please e-mail Rodney Reiners: rodney.r@santosfc.co.za