The 20th round of the Bank of Valletta Premier League is being played over two days – between today and tomorrow.
Three matches are being played today – the big match between Hamrun and Hibernians at the National Stadium, and another two at the Centenary Stadium.
Tomorrow, there will be the remaining four matches – two at the Hibernians Stadium and another two at the National Stadium.
TOP MATCH
The top match of the weekend is undoubtedly tonight’s Hamrun-Hibernians encounter which is crucial for both teams.
On one side we have the leaders, Hibernians, who are aware that Valletta are hot favourites to win all the three points from their match tomorrow against Pieta.
Therefore the Paolites will no doubt be eyeing all the three points from today’s match even though it will be no easy task against the Spartans.
Hibernians are coming from a very impressive 5-0 drubbing of neighbours Tarxien Rainbows last week. In that match, the Paolites showed their strength having missed the services of international midfielder Jurgen Degabriele for the rest of the season.
The Spartans are aware that theirs will be no easy game and they are aware that they will have to be at their best behaviour to keep the Paolites at bay.
As it is, with Gzira, Sliema and Birkirkara having easier-looking matches, Hamrun cannot afford to slip again in their challenge to finish among the top four in the hope of earning an Europa League berth next season.
In fact, third placed Gzira will be facing Senglea tomorrow.
The Maroons are intent on consolidating their 3rd place by winning this match, even if they know that Senglea are a much improved side in this second round of the competition.
The Yellow Reds could prove to be a tough nut to crack for the Maroons as Senglea also need the points in their efforts to stave off relegation.
Fourth placed Sliema meet Mosta this weekend with both teams also needing the points for different reasons.
Sliema are still in contention for third place, while Mosta will be eyeing to move further up the standings to distance themselves as much as possible from the third from last placing which means a decider against the third placed in the First Division at the end of the campaign.
It is to be remembered that it was Mosta who eliminated Sliema from the FA Trophy earlier this year in the Last 16 round.
Sixth placed Birkirkara also need to beat Tarxien Rainbows to keep involved in the race for 3rd or 4th place.
The Stripes did well last week to beat St Andrews to join the Spartans on the 33 point mark, while Tarxien, as already stated, were hammered 5-0 by Hibernians.
The Rainbows also need points badly as they are only two points above 12th place Senglea.
Valletta should have little difficulty in disposing of lowly Pieta in tomorrow’s first match.
The Citizens will have the advantage of knowing the result of the Hibernians match today, so they will know exactly what they will have to do.
Of course, their aim is certainly the three points, but they will do well to show improvement over last week’s form when they could only turn defeat into a victory against Balzan in the final 10 minutes (and with some good luck as well).
Another balanced match should be the tie between Floriana and Balzan.
The Greens returned to winning form last week as they beat Senglea by a solitary goal and they now need to remain playing positively to continue moving away from the relegation zone – quite an unusual place for this formerly glorious side.
On their part, Balzan now are almost certain that their only way to European football next season is via a possible Trophy win.
After last week’s unlucky defeat at the hands of Valletta, they are lagging seven points behind Gzira with seven matches still to be played.
The other match this weekend is possible a final chance for Qormi to keep their slim hopes of avoiding relegation alive.
They face St Andrews tomorrow, but even the Saints are badly in need of points. At present they are just one point above Senglea.