Kick-off is at 7:30 pm.
The Buccaneers have looked a real force in the MTN8 this season, but have yet to find their rhythem in the league this season and are winless after three rounds of fixtures.
Vladimir Vermezovic' men booked their place in the final of South Africa's top eight competition with a 5-1 aggregate win over Bidvest Wits, but a loss and two draws from their opening three league fixtures against Moroka Swallows, Bloemfontein Celtic and AmaZulu respectively see's them occupy 13th place on the Premiership log.
The Brazilians themselves haven't been convincing in the league, but did manage their first win of the campaign last week, dispatching the Dube Birds 2-0 in a one sided affair in Dobsonville.
'Downs, who clinched the title last season on the penultimate day of the campaign following a run of 10 consecutive wins, were held to a 1-1 draw by Maritzburg United on the opening day of the 2014/2015 season before losing 1-0 to Ajax Cape Town in the Mother City.
Pirates striker Kermit Erasmus is wary of his sides poor start to the league season, but is confident the Sea Robbers can turn their fortunes around.
"The league hasn't started too well for us, results haven't gone our way. But the league is still a long way from ending," said Erasmus.
"We are not too concerned at the moment, because we know we can bounce back. Just a few things to work on.
"We are still in the domestic competitions and want to urge the fans not to lose heart."
Alje Schut regards the match against Pirates as one of the biggest in the country an expects Pirates to come out guns blazing as they aim to break their winless streak in the league.
“This is still one of the biggest matches in the South African football calendar which means players are always motivated for the occasion," said Schut.
“We both have not had ideal starts to our league campaigns and a win is equally important to both teams. Big sides always want to be on top and we are no different.
“We expect them to come at us but we also intend firing from the cylinders, which means any lapse of concentration from either side will be punishable because of the quality on the table."
In head-to-head stats, Sundowns and Pirates have met in 59 league matches since 1985.
The Brazilians have 25 wins compared to 18 for the Buccaneers, while 16 matches have been drawn.
Sundowns have won 12 of their 30 home matches against Pirates, suffering eight defeats in the process. The Soweto side is unbeaten in their last four trips to 'Downs home ground.
Last season each side managed a 1-0 away win against the other.
Hlompho Kekana scored for the Brazilians in Orlando, while Khethokwakhe Masuku scored in Tshawne.
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