The Lions have not beaten the Sharks since their 26-25 victory in Bloemfontein when they were known as the Cats and half the team were effectively Cheetahs.

The Lions (including the Cats) have lost their last 13 Super Rugby matches against the Sharks.

In 2006 the Cats split and the Cheetahs were formed but the Lions still played as the Cats for one year and then became the Lions. Since 2006 the Lions/Cats have played the Sharks seven times and lost six with one draw.

In Lions (and Cats) history since 1998 the men from Johannesburg have played the Sharks 17 times and the Lions have won twice.

There have been two draw through the years (2011 and 2005) but the Lions have statistically won 12% of their matches against the Sharks.

On average when the Lions play the Sharks they score 17 points and the Sharks score 30 points.

The stats don't get a lot better for the Lions with home advantage as they have hosted the Sharks 8 times (7 in Johannesburg and once in Bloemfontein) and the Lions have won once. The Sharks have won five times and drawn twice.

On average when the Lions are at home playing against the Sharks the Lions score 20 points and the Sharks score 28 points.

The Sharks might have struggled earlier in the season and on tour but they have become the form team in the South African conference.

The Lions on the other hand have lost their last 11 matches this season. Even though the Lions are at home there is little to suggest they will turn things around this weekend.

The Sharks will be looking at this match as an opportunity to pick up five points on a weekend which their conference rivals the Bulls and Stormers play each other so only one of them can take points or they must share the points.

The Bookies have given the Lions a 12 point start for this match - with an offer of Bet 5 and Get 50 in Bets. We think the Sharks will do what they have to do in order to get a bonus point victory. Sharks to win by 14 or more.

This match will be shown on TV NZ, Aus, SA and in the UK on Sky Sports 2/HD.

Average score: Lions 17 Sharks 30

Last five results
10 Mar 2012 Lions v Sharks 20-32 Durban
11 Jun 2011 Lions v Sharks 30-30 Johannesburg
09 Apr 2011 Lions v Sharks 3-27 Durban 19:10
17 Apr 2010 Lions v Sharks 28-32 Johannesburg
21 Feb 2009 Lions v Sharks 10-25 Durban

Lions overall record against the Sharks
Played 17 , Wins 2, Losses 13 , Draws 2

Match No.99.: Lions v Sharks
Date Saturday 2 June
Venue : Johannesburg
Kick Off local: 17:05
Referee: Garratt Williamson
Assistant Ref 1:Jason Jatha
Assistant Ref 2:Stefan Breytenbach
TMO : Gerrie Coetzee

Teams

Lions

15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Butch James, 11 Anthonie Volminck, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Joshua Strauss (captain), 7 Grant Hattingh, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 CJ van der Linde

Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Etienne Oosthuizen, 19 Cobus Grobbelaar, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Waylon Murray, 22 Ruan Combrinck

Sharks

1. Tendai Mtawarira , 2. Bismarck du Plessis , 3. Jannie du Plessis , 4. Steven Sykes , 5. Anton Bresler , 6. Marcell Coetzee , 7. Willem Alberts , 8. Keegan Daniel (Captain) , 9. Charl McLeod , 10. Frederic Michalak , 11. Lwazi Mvovo , 12. Meyer Bosman , 13. JP Pietersen , 14. Odwa Ndungane , 15. Patrick Lambie

Replacements: 16. Craig Burden , 17. Wiehahn Herbst , 18. Jandre Marais , 19. Ryan Kankowski , 20. Jacques Botes , 21. Marius Joubert , 22. Louis Ludik