All four matches in the fourth round of the inaugural Varsity Football competition will be played at altitude, but which team will rise highest?

With the opening three rounds behind us, the Varsity Football log is starting to take shape, and with just four rounds left before the play-offs it is time to start producing the goods or risk being left behind.

We bring you all of the line-ups as we take a closer look at the match-ups on the next Explosive Monday night of Varsity Football.

NWU v NMMU

(Mafikeng Sports Fields, Mafikeng – Kick-off: 16.30 live on SuperSport 4)

The first match of the night promises to be a cracker as the best attacking team in the competition hosts the best defensive unit.

NWU scored an astonishing 10 goals in their first two games before slumping to a 1-0 defeat against TUT last week, but top-goal-scorer Thabo Mnyamane and his teammates will have their work cut out for them against an NMMU team that has only conceded one goal in their three matches.

There has been talk this week linking the prolific Mnyamane with a few PSL clubs, but he and his team will have to keep their focus on the task at hand if they are to secure the three points on offer.

The Mafikeng outfit will be desperate to get back to winning ways in front of their passionate supporters who will be expecting big things after their 6-1 demolition of UFS two weeks ago.

However, they face a disciplined Madibaz side that are lying in second place with two wins and a draw despite playing all three of their matches so far away from home.

The Eastern Cape side thought that they had secured a third consecutive away victory before a last-minute Tuks penalty cost them two points, so they will also be highly motivated to bounce back.

With second up against third this could be a classic. Both teams will feel they have something to prove after disappointing results last week so expect sparks to fly up north.

Prediction: Both teams have already shown that they will take some beating this year, but NWU will have the crowd on their side so we are backing them to win this one by a goal.

Teams:

NWU: 98 Tebogo Mosia, 3 Kenneth Bodibe, 21 Junior Leeuw, 5 Kyle Amon, 13 Zakhele Mashiyi, 9 Otlaarongwa Rantese, 8 Shane April, 15 Matsobane Matsi, 6 Luthando Ntokwenzani, 4 Xola Mlambo, 10 Thabo Mnyamane.
Reserves: 16 Calvin Ntshudisane, 7 Sipho Mateis, 23 Machwisa Tshenolo, 24 Lebogang Phetlu, 17 Sandile Mbatha, 20 Sylvester Moses, 14 Ryan van der Westhuizen.

NMMU: 16 Lyndsay Jennings, 20 Lundi Balfour, 3 Andile Mtyingizane, 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, 5 Cornelius Matuoane, 4 Peter Thekisho, 11 Kieran Koert, 25 Bradley Peterson, 8 Lukhanyo Rasmeni.

UP-Tuks v UCT

(Tuks Stadium, Pretoria – Kick-off: 19.00 live on Supersport 7)

USSA champions Tuks came into Varsity Football as one of the favourites but thus far have largely flattered to deceive, so they will want to make a major statement against UCT.

It will be Tuks’ fourth straight home match, and they will be keen to make that advantage count against an Ikeys team that has lost their last two matches at home.

The Cape side showed early promise by earning a draw with UFS in the opening round in Bloemfontein, but consecutive defeats on the Green Mile in Cape Town have since sent them back to the drawing board.

With just a single goal to their credit, UCT are languishing at the bottom of the table, and seem to be the perfect team for Tuks to gain some confidence against.

Not many will be giving UCT a chance to upset Tuks on their home turf, which means that the visitors will be able to play with a certain amount of freedom as they will not be burdened by expectation.

For Tuks nothing less than a resounding victory will be good enough as they need both the confidence and the boost to their goal difference as they make a push for a place in the play-offs.

Prediction: UCT have nothing to lose which will make them a dangerous prospect, but Tuks should win this one by about two goals.

Teams:

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

UCT: 1 Bevan Adonis, 19 Anees Cozyn, 15 Byron Donaldson, 6 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, 15 Thami Malusi, 23 Steele Katzeff, 11 Mwansa Chalwe, 4 Shane Classen, 18 PJ Roberts, 17 Lerato S’gebengu.

Wits v UWC

(Millpark Stadium, Johannesburg – Kick-off: 19.00)

An extra-time free-kick from Neo Makua in Cape Town saw Wits snatch three points to rocket up to fifth place on the log last week, and they will be hoping to capitalise on that momentum in front of their home fans.

They face a UWC team that earned the first point of their campaign with a 1-1 draw against UFS in Bloemfontein following consecutive defeats at home.

Both teams will see this match as an opportunity to move towards the top half of the standings, and will be focused on their finishing as they have battled to find the back of the net.

UWC would have taken heart from their fighting performance on the raod last week, and they will be desperate to notch their first win of the competition as we head into the second half of the campaign.

Wits took over 270 minutes to score their first goal of the competition, and they will be hoping that the wait for the second is not nearly as long.

Prediction: This game could go either way as neither team has found any consistent form yet, so we are predicting a draw.

Teams:

Wits: 16 Minki Mtshali, 4 Nelson Mwale, 5 Markus Lecki, 3 Fulufhelani Munyai, 15 Muzimkhulu Nhlengethwa, 12 Ntsika Ngcobo, 10 Zachary Cohen, 24 Tshepo Motsukunyane, 11 Neo Makua, 7 Keorpetse Molete, 8 Phenyo Mongalo.
Reserves: 1 Kgabisi Mohale, 13 Tumelo Magethi, 14 Sanele Njoko, 18 Innocent Magasela, 6 Tebogo Digoamaje.

UWC: 1 Basikelele Mdletye, 15 Unathi Segodi, 5 Cleo Pokpas, 4 Robbin Swartz, 23 Robin van Rensburg, 6 Siseko Lapi, 8 Thando Ziwele, 18 Lulama Lolwana, 20 Lungelo Nokele, 9 Curtley Buekes, 11 Oupa Sawukazi.
Reserves: 16 Mthobeli Lithiko, 2 Vincent Sobekwa,  14 Akhona Bonga, 19 Mvano Cwabane, 10 Tapelo Sixishe, 7 Sinovuyo Ranana, 25 Reon October.

TUT v UFS

(TUT Stadium, Pretoria – Kick-off: 19.00)

Log-leaders TUT will be looking to keep their momentum going by making it four wins in a row when they welcome UFS to the TUT Stadium.

The Tshwane side showed great character to edge a dangerous NWU side last week, but they will not want that hard work to go to waste by slipping up against UFS.

The Bloemfontein side have two draws at home to show for their efforts thus far, but slumped to a massive 6-1 defeat in their only away game against NWU in Mafikeng.

They are still searching for their first victory of the competition, and have the unenviable task of trying to do so against the unbeaten log-leaders who are bursting with confidence.

TUT coach Bushy Moloi has not made any changes to the starting line-up that took care of NWU last week, and they will be relishing the opportunity to reward their enthusiastic fans with another win.

Prediction: UFS will fight hard, but they are really up against it in this one and we expect TUT to win by two goals.

Teams:

TUT: 23 King Ndlovu, 3 Katlego Mokoena, 8 Kgotso Mohlami, 5 Elliot Seema, 2 Themba Nkosi, 12 Khomotso Selemela, 4 Khuliso Rashamuse, 11 Sizwe Khumalo, 16 Selby Madibana, 15 Doctor Radebe, 9 Botshelo Mfulwane.
Reserves: 18 Solly Matlou, 10 Andrew Mashigo, 14 Qiniso Mahlobo, 6 Enos Mokoana, 20 Sanele Sikhakhane, 7 Sonwabiso Busakwe, 13 Thabiso Sebothoma.

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.

By Michael de Vries