HENRY BRINCAT

When the Premier League resumes this afternoon at Ta’ Qali, second and third placed Valletta and Birkirkara will be looking to close the gap on leaders Sliema by winning their encounters against Msida and Hibernians respectively.

Valletta, three points behind the Wanderers in the standings, will be facing Msida St Joseph, while Birkirkara, a further point adrift, will be taking on Hibernians in the second match.

The two teams are well aware that Sliema are likely to win all points from their weekend encounter against lowly Lija Athletic tomorrow.

The Citizens are, without doubt, passing through the crest of the waves, especially after last week’s impressive 3-2 win over Sliema – a result that opened the championship issue wide.

Msida will not be giving in so easily in the knowledge that they also need to win more points to make a stronger challenge for a place among the top six.

In the match that follows, Birkirkara will also be looking for the three points against Hibernians even if the Paolites are enthusiastic after having moved into fourth place last week following their last gasp win over Marsaxlokk.

The Stripes, however, have to lift their performance which has not been very impressive of late, although it is true that they are still achieving positive results.

They are advantaged in the sense that the Paolites will have to play this match without their suspended young star Andre Schembri.