League leaders Hibernians and Sliema Wanderers will be facing tough encounters tomorrow as they face Championship Pool contenders Hamrun and Valletta respectively.
Today, Mosta seem to have a final chance to maintain their slim hopes of avoiding the Relegation Pool alive when they face Pieta Hotspurs, while in the second match this afternoon, a keen battle between the re-surging Floriana and Msida is anticipated.
Tomorrow, Hibernians and Sliema should be good enough to beat Hamrun Spartans and Valletta respectively, but the two leaders would do well to be aware that both opponents are in need of precious points to make it to the Championship Pool, thus avoiding the Relegation battle in the second phase of the competition.
At present, Sliema, Hibs, Birkirkara and Marsaxlokk seem assured of a place in the Championship Pool, but Msida are not yet sure, though they are close. A big battle lies in store in the remaining matches for the final slot. And here, four clubs are battling between themselves to make to the sixth place. These are Valletta 14 pts, Hamrun 13, Pieta 11 and Floriana 10.
Hibernians were very unimpressive in their last two matches when they just beat Pieta 2-1 and then figured in a 1-1 draw against a battling Floriana side.
The Paolites will have to show improvement if they are to beat Hamrun who, after their 3-2 win over Pieta in midweek, seem determined to avoid the Relegation Pool.
The Spartans showed they are no easy nut to crack for any side and it will be no surprise they will again offer some stiff opposition to the joint League leaders.
Sliema must also improve over recent performances if they are to avoid trouble against a Valletta side which is also determined to earn its place among the top six.
The victory against Msida, although not convincing, was enough to bring back morale into the City camp after everything seemed lost following the bitter defeat against Floriana in the derby.
Coach Paul Zammit is now hoping to see an improvement from his players, even though they will be facing none other than the most experienced side in the Premier, apart from being the champions.
Today, Msida and Floriana will certainly battle for the points as they would like to move further up the standings.
Msida won the first round match 4-2, but since then, the Greens have shown considerable improvement and it seems as if their revival is to continue.
After the 1-1 draw in midweek against Hibs – and a very encouraging performance – it is evident that Jan Artz’s side is now brimming with confidence and are looking forward towards much more improvement in the standings in their final six matches of this second round.
Msida are aware that they are close to making history. For it will be the first time for them to play in the Championship Pool, if they make it to the top six, something they missed by a whisker last season.
In the remaining match, Mosta will seek the three points to keep their slim hopes alive, but Pieta will also have the same aim as they are also expected to go all out and cancel their negative series of results to move up the table and draw closer to the teams above them in the standings.