Sliema Wanderers should be able to dispose of a depleted Valletta side this evening and extend their lead at the top of the Bank of Valletta Premier League standings as the fifth round of matches gets under way.

The Wanderers have started the season on a very positive note, collecting four consecutive wins and amassing a maximum 12 points. They are the only unbeaten side in the competition.

They are three points ahead of Hibernians and five over Birkirkara, Marsaxlokk and Pieta, all on seven points.

This evening’s opponents Valletta had started the season on a disappointing note, collecting just one point from three encounters, but on Sunday they obtained a very encouraging 3-2 win over Marsaxlokk.

But apart from the victory, Valletta also had bad news in the sense that their injury problems continued to increase alarmingly with Gilbert Agius and Ian Zammit both being ruled out for the next six weeks at least.

Moreover, this evening, Milen Penchev and Jerry Ani are still doubtful starters while left flank defender Rene Forace is unavailable as he is suspended.

Sliema should have a full squad available and judging by the form they showed against Birkirkara on Monday evening, when they emerged winners 2-1, then tonight’s match should be just a formality for the strong side under the charge of Edward Aquilina and Hugh Caruana.