Sliema have a good opportunity to take the sole leadership in the Bank of Valletta Premier League standings this evening as they entertain bottom-placed Hamrun Spartans (8.30pm).

The Premier League continues today with another two matches before the two-week stop in view of the national team’s forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Hungary and Croatia.

In the other match this evening, Marsaxlokk will also aim to confirm their good performance against Birkirkara when they face newly promoted Mosta.

Sliema have started the season with two convincing wins, beating the strong Hibernians 3-0 and Mosta 6-0. As the results show, the Blues have yet to suffer their first goal, but this evening, they will be expected to maintain their impressive run. Against newly-promoted Hamrun, they will certainly be the hot favourites for another three points which will push them past Birkirkara and possibly Marsaxlokk, and in pole position.

The Spartans have started the season badly, losing 2-1 to Marsaxlokk and 4-2 to neighbours Pieta Hotspurs.

Against Sliema, they cannot possibly hope of gaining at least one point, considering that they were quite obvious in their limitations, compared to the star-studded Sliema line-up.

In the second match, Marsaxlokk should also be considered firm favourites to bag the three points at stake.

They are considered to have more than enough guns to annihilate Mosta who fell a cropper in their second match after having recorded a surprise 2-1 win over Msida in their season opener.

If Marsaxlokk can reproduce the same form shown last Monday against Birkirkara, then Mosta will have to be on the alert if they wish to avoid another heavy defeat.

The Blues have Dyson Falzon and Serbian defender Miroljub Spasic suspended for this match, but Ives Bilocca will be returning to the side after serving his suspension.

Programme

Ta’ Qali: 6.30pm Marsaxlokk-Mosta; 8.30pm Sliema W.-Hamrun S.