Kaizer Chiefs' form has certainly shown that they are capable of beating Mamelodi Sundowns today.
That statement might seem misleading, because in the unpredictable Absa Premiership just about any team can beat another on a given day. So then why should the team leading the league not be able to?
To explain, in the bigger games, in a more rarefied air - like climbing one of the higher mountains - the stakes get higher and missteps from an immensely classy combination like Downs become that much rarer.
Like him, dislike him, just can't deal with him - Ernst Middendorp in his seeming inability towards diplomacy, and tendency for coming across as arrogant and even disrespectful, seems capable of provoking all such reactions. But even his detractors must see the coach has beaten Chiefs into shape this season.
After a 2018-19 campaign where Chiefs finished ninth to rub salt into going into a fourth season trophyless, Middendorp self-admittedly was fortunate to survive, his signings seemed too obscure to make a difference. They have turned out to be clever.
The coach has also importantly nursed right-back Reeve Frosler, and perhaps more crucially Bafana Bafana centreback Eric "Tower" Mathoho, back to form.
His view in the preseason that the five relatively unknown signings could make enough of a contribution because players returning from injury, such as Lebogang Manyama, would boost Chiefs further, was greeted with scepticism.
Eight matches in and Chiefs have won six, drawn one and lost one to lead the Absa Premiership. They have yet to put in a flowing 90 minutes. The football is seldom pretty. But there can be no doubt they have exceeded expectations.
In a 4-2 Shell Cup friendly win two weekends ago a mixed-strength Chiefs blew a lesser-strength Sundowns away 4-0 in the first half. Ex-Brazilians Leonardo Castro (hat-trick) and Khama Billiat combined for all the assists and finishes.
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane could not prevent a wry grin afterwards. Such a meaningless friendly outcome could be just the fodder for the PSL's most brilliantly mischievous practitioner of the mind game to blow out of proportion.
Before that game, through the post-match press conference, and into this week, Mosimane has relentlessly pushed at Middendorp's buttons. He has veered from over-complimenting, even calling Amakhosi league favourites; to questioning supposed refereeing decisions going Chiefs' way.
Middendorp, by the accounts of most players who have served under him, is a technically sound coach, and has an obvious Achilles heel - his combustibility. Mosimane has prodded at it with glee.
Middendorp and Chiefs' reaction seem crucial. Do they come out fired up, but also measured in response? There is a definite possibility they can overdo it. If Chiefs go to Loftus with a clever game plan, as Middendorp has done before, and is unfazed by the jibing, then it's game on.
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