Here are the talking points ahead of these two crucial clashes.
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Mamelodi Sundowns will regain top spot in the league if they beat AmaZulu in Durban by a single goal, in what is essentially their game in hand over current leaders Orlando Pirates.
Sundowns currently trail by three points with a +18 goal difference (GF26 GA8), while Pirates have a +19 goal difference (GF26 GA7).
Their 2-1 victory over Pirates last week was crucial and they are now seeking a fourth league win in succession, having lost only once in the league in almost a year.
That defeat also came in Durban, when they were beaten 1-0 by Manqoba Mngqithi’s Lamontville Golden Arrows in September.
Up and down on the road
Sundowns have not been great travellers by their own high standards this season, winning five of their 15 games away from home in all competitions (D7 L3). That includes a 2-0 loss at TS Galaxy in the Nedbank Cup this past weekend.
It is not the all-conquering Sundowns we have become used to in recent times, but they do have an excellent record against Usuthu, particularly on the road.
They have won the last five meetings between the sides and have lost just once in Durban since 1993. That was in 2021 when Augustine Mulenga scored the only goal in a 1-0 Usuthu success.
In the 28 meetings in Durban since 1993, Sundowns have won 18 and drawn nine, to go with that single defeat.
Familiar foes
Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch meet for the fourth time this season and just weeks after the Winelands club knocked the Soweto giants out of the Nedbank Cup in Cape Town.
It is honours even so far, with a win each and a draw in the Carling Knockout, though Stellenbosch claimed that tie on penalties.
Chiefs’ league win in Cape Town in August was their fourth victory in a row against Stellies, and generally they have dominated clashes between these sides, but the tide has turned a little in the last two meetings.
Chiefs still in the title race
Victory over Stellenbosch will take Chiefs to within five points of the top of the table with two games in hand, placing them very much in the title race.
This is especially so with the Soweto derby against rivals Pirates coming up on Saturday, when they could close the gap further and still retain their games in hand. The Buccaneers, it should be stated, do not have a midweek fixture ahead of the derby.
Chiefs can ill-afford any slip-ups though, or those title hopes will fade fast, and they have a patchy home record against Tuesday’s visitors.
They have won three of the seven previous visits from Stellies, to go with two draws and two defeats.
Relegation battle?
Many thought Stellenbosch FC would have pulled well clear of the relegation zone by now, but they remain in a battle at the bottom and desperately need points on Tuesday.
They are four points clear of the automatic drop and only two ahead of the relegation play-off position, having won just four of their 16 league matches to date.
Now without the burden of the CAF Confederation Cup, having exited in the group stages, and the Nedbank Cup after a weekend loss at Golden Arrows, they have only their league survival left to focus on this season.
It would be a surprise if they were still near the foot of the table come May, but as Cape Town City showed last season, it is all very well having a decent squad on paper, you need to turn that into results.