Round Five of Varsity Football promises plenty of drama with four teams in with a shot of ending the night on top of the standings.

There is not much breathing room at the top of the table, with just three log points separating the top four sides, and as none of them are playing each other on Monday there could be some reshuffling on the cards.

At the other end of the scale the bottom four teams will be desperate to claim a big scalp and give themselves a chance of qualifying for the semifinals as the knock-out phase of the competition approaches.

We take a closer look at Monday’s match-ups and line-ups:

TUT v UCT
(TUT Stadium, Pretoria – Kick-off: 16.30, live on Supersport)

It will be the log-leaders up against the bottom-dwellers when UCT square up to the unbeaten TUT in the first match of the night in Pretoria.

The Ikeys have lost three consecutive matches following their draw with UFS in the opening round, and their confidence will be severely dented after the 5-0 drubbing they received at the hands of UP-Tuks last week.

They are back in Tshwane on Monday to face a TUT side that is eyeing a full three points in order to extend their lead at the top of the standings.

The hosts will be without influential captain Khuliso Rashamuse who has been suspended due to the red card he was shown in the 1-1 draw with UFS last week, but they will still be backing themselves to produce the goods in front of their home fans.

TUT are sure to throw everything at the visitors on attack in a bid to boost their goal difference, so there may be a few opportunities on the counter-attack for UCT, but they will have to produce their best performance of the competition if they are to upset TUT on home turf.

Prediction: UCT will be determined to show that they are more than just the whipping boys of the competition, but TUT will be too strong for them at home and should win by two goals.

Teams:

TUT: 23 King Ndlovu, 3 Katlego Mokoena, 8 Kgotso Mohlami, 5 Elliot Seema, 2 Themba Nkosi, 12 Khomotso Selemela, 13 Thabiso Sebothoma, 11 Sizwe Khumalo, 16 Selby Madibana, 15 Doctor Radebe, 9 Botshelo Mfulwane.
Reserves: 18 Solly Matlou, 10 Andrew Mashigo, 14 Qiniso Mahlobo, 6 Sokanyile Masonwabe, 20 Sanele Sikhakhane, 7 Sonwabiso Busakwe, 19 Mbongeni Mpanza.

UCT: 1 Bevan Adonis, 19 Anees Cozyn, 6 Byron Donaldson, 21 Jonathan Melamdowitz, 12 Velaphi Vilakazi, 20 Thami Mehlo, 25 Lwazi Maziya, 8 Miro Koehler, 7 Lukas Metzmacher, 10 Mcebisi Mtshali, 14 Wisy Namaseb.
Reserves: 3 Thabiso Mmotlana, 2 Justin Alberti, 15 Dollie Mogomat, 11 Mwansa Chalwe, 4 Shane Classen, 18 PJ Roberts, 17 Lerato S’gebengu.

UFS v UP-Tuks
(Shimla Park, Bloemfontein – Kick-off: 19.00)

Tuks will be looking to take the momentum they gained from their big win over UCT last week to Bloemfontein where they face UFS in their first away game of the competition.

After four consecutive home games they will have to prove that they can do the job on the road against a UFs side that has been bouyed by their 1-1 draw with TUT last week.

The Free State side are yet to win a game and have three draws to show for their efforts thus far, so they will be determined to bag a full three points to put some pressure on the top four teams.

However, they face another tough assignment against a Tuks team that has found their feet after a difficult start to the competition.

Prediction: Tuks have found good form, but they will be up against it in their first away game so we believe this one will end in a draw.

Teams:

UFS: 1 Malefane Mokhachane, 2 Lehlohonolo Ramolebo, 3 Unathi Mabandla, 17 Jarred Meyer, 4 Thato Skaut, 20 Khotso Tjemolane, 6 Manxubandile Bantshi, 8 Ricco Sutil, 11 Simon Modupi, 10 Tshepo Sefatsa, 18 Ernest Mohloki.
Reserves: 16 Serasengoe Moodie, 15 Themba Zimo, 22 Christopher Makgoe, 13 Marothodi Phillies , 21 Elzandro Lewis, 5 Thuso Mpuang, 25 Lehlohonolo Mokoena, 12 Lekhaba Kaphe.

UP-Tuks: 26 Tristyn Coetsee, 6 Kabelo Ramongane, 12 Kenneth Matlala, 9 Mbongeni Masilela, 5 Lawrence Ntswane, 3 Claudio Barreiro, 13 Sphelele Khuzwayo, 15 Jarryd van den Berg, 10 Moeketsi Modiba, 22 Dean Wilkinson, 4 Mosa Sesele.
Reserves: 23 John-Ross Kganane, 14 Keegan Boulle, 16 Sipho Masemola, 1 Nicholas Stothard, 20 Thabo Ndlovu, 11 Richard Moremi, 18 Nicholas Killas, 8 Nii-Ordartey Mills, 19 Charles Gulwako, 7 Luke Steyl.

NMMU v Wits
(NMMU Stadium South Campus, port Elizabeth – Kick-off: 19.00)

After four games on the road the NMMU Madibaz are still unbeaten, and they will be keen to finally play in front of their home fans on Monday.

They take on Wits who have just one win, and one goal, to show for their efforts in the competition this season.

The visitors will be desperate to sharpen up their attack, but they will have a tough task against the team with the best defensive record in the competition.

NMMU have conceded just two goals in their four games, and after fighting back to earn an impressive 1-1 draw with NWU in Mafikeng last week they will be looking to put Wits to the sword.

The visitors have made a couple of changes up front in a bid to provide more attacking potency, whilst by contrast NMMU are a settled outfit with the benefit of continuity.

Prediction: Wits seem to be up against it as they face a well-drilled NMMU side that should win by about two goals at home.

Teams:

NMMU: 16 Lyndsay Jennings, 20 Lundi Balfour, 5 Cornelius Matuoane, 22 Niven Kops, 19 Lukhanyo Sompondo, 6 Kurt Duff, 2 Lindsay Stowman, 17 Onneetse Leboifo, 10 Cloudius Sagandira, 7 Leroy van Rensburg, 13 Vuoyolwethu Marele.
Reserves: 1 Mfundo Moyikwa, 21 Zukisani Mtendeni, 3 Andile Mtyingizane, 4 Peter Thekisho, 11 Kieran Koert, 25 Bradley Peterson, 9 Alexander Owusu.

Wits: 1 Paulos Mohale, 4 Nelson Mwale, 5 Markus Lecki, 13 Tumelo Magethi, 3 Fulufhelani Munyai, 15 Muzimkhulu Nhlengethwa, 10 Zachary Cohen, 24 Tshepo Motsukunyane, 11 Neo Makua, 17 Bandile Mathandela, 6 Tebogo Digoamaje.
Reserves: 19 Phiweyo Hlophe, 12 Ntsika Ngcobo, 2 Manuel Makafane, 9 Phuti Leboho, 18 Innocent Magasela, 7 Keorpetse Molete, 22 Joseph Mushi.

NWU v UWC
(Mafikeng Sports Field, Mafikeng – Kick-off: 19.00, live on Supersport)

Following two consecutive draws, NWU will be determined to bag a full three points when they host UWC in Mafikeng.

After falling off the pace in the last two weeks, the Mafikeng outfit will be looking for an emphatic performance in front of their enthusiastic fans.

However, they will be without striker Otlaarongwa Rantese who has been suspended for his red card he received in the 1-1 draw with NMMU next week, so they will have to do so without his physical presence up front.

They are up against a UWC side that are just three points behind them on the standing in fifth place following their 2-0 victory over Wits last week.

Having won away from home against Wits, UWC will be eyeing another scalp on the road as they look to break into the top four, but it will be no walk in the park against a highly motivated NWU side.

Prediction: UWC will throw everything at their hosts, but NWU have too much class and should win this one by about two goals.

Teams:

NWU: 98 Tebogo Mosia, 3 Kenneth Bodibe, 23 Machwisa Tshenolo, 21 Junior Leeuw, 5 Kyle Amon, 24 Lebogang Phetlu, 8 Shane April, 6 Luthando Ntokwenzani, 4 Xola Mlambo, 20 Sylvester Moses, 10 Thabo Mnyamane.
Reserves: 16 Calvin Ntshudisane, 7 Sipho Mateis, 13 Zakhele Mashiyi, 17 Sandile Mbatha, 14 Ryan van der Westhuizen, 45 Kagiso Modimoeng, 15 Matsobane Matsi.

UWC: 1 Basikelele Mdletye, 2 Vincent Sobekwa, 5 Cleo Pokpas, 4 Robbin Swartz, 23 Robin van Rensburg, 6 Siseko Lapi, 8 Thando Ziwele, 22 Xolisa Sigenu, 20 Lungelo Nokele, 9 Curtley Buekes, 11 Oupa Sawukazi.
Reserves: 16 Mthobeli Lithiko, 14 Akhona Bonga, 10 Tapelo Sixishe, 7 Sinovuyo Ranana, 15 Unathi Segodi, 25 Reon October, 17 Mfundo Majola.

By Michael de Vries