Mamelodi Sundowns will meet a rested Kaizer Chiefs during their huge Betway Premiership encounter at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgevile on Saturday (3.30pm). 

The last time Amakhosi were in action was when they were walloped 4-1 by SuperSport United on Tuesday last week at FNB Stadium and since them the Brazilians have played three league matches. 

While Chiefs were idling, Sundowns convincingly beat Marumo Gallants, TS Galaxy and Sekhukhune United in a period of eight days where they scored an impressive 11 goals. 

These recent wins by convincing margins margin have left Downs enjoying a 15-point lead ahead of second-placed Orlando Pirates, who have played four matches less. 

Cardoso said he is not sure if Chiefs’ lack of action will benefit them or not in Saturday’s clash, where a win would see the Brazilians increase their lead to 18 points before Pirates take on Gallants in the late kickoff on the same day in Bloemfontein. 

“I don’t know what they have been doing during this period, I cannot say whether it was good or bad [for them],” Downs' coach said. 

“What I know is that their coach always works hard to develop his team. He knows what he has ahead of him, the responsibility of his club — he is a clever man and he is a quality coach. 

“In the last days of this period leading up to our match, he will worry about us but before that he only worried about himself and how he is going to get the team better.” 

Even with Downs' recent run of impressive results, Cardoso rejected talk of his team being favourites over eighth-placed Chiefs, who have blown decidedly hot and cold.   

“In me there is no lack of ambition, never. If I take the tag of favourites in this match, I will be passing the energy to my players and they don’t need that. There are no favourites when the whistle starts. 

“You go there to show what you have and in the end that’s when you say you were favourites, but not before the match. I want the right attitude from the beginning. 

“If you give 100% you can win everything and if you give 99% you can lose everything — you can lose because of that 1%. If I allow the players not to give 100% it will give me discomfort because I always want my players to be at their best. 

“I want that without pressure, just to understand by themselves how they need to be and that is what has been happening.”