Third placed Birkirkara must beat rivals Sliema Wanderers this evening if they are to remain close to the League leaders.
The Bank of Valletta Premier League resumes this evening with two matches which had been postponed on 13 December. In the first match, Marsaxlokk will be facing Valletta, while in the game that follows, Sliema take on their rivals Birkirkara.
At present, Hibernians and Sliema are joint leaders on 31 points, six ahead of third placed Birkirkara who, however, have a match in hand over their two rivals.
A victory for Birkirkara today will give them the opportunity to move to within three points of the two leaders and with the possibility of joining them if they win their match in hand. But a defeat will put Stephen Azzopardi’s side well behind – nine points behind Sliema and six behind Hibernians.
The Stripes are coming from a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the resurging Marsaxlokk and a penalty shootout defeat against Hibernians in the Quadrangular tournament last week, while Sliema, after a negative period, are coming from two consecutive wins in the Premier League, a 2-0 win over Mosta and a 3-0 verdict against Valletta. Last week, Sliema were also beaten 2-1 by Hibs in the Quadrangular tournament.
It is the fourth time the two clubs are meeting each other this season. Sliema won the Euro Cup match 3-0, but then Birkirkara won the Super Cup match with the same scoreline. In the first round of the league, it was Sliema who triumphed 2-1. In that match, the Blues probably played their best football this season.
Today, however, they will certainly lament the absence of influential midfielder Stefan Giglio, who is ruled out through suspension, but coach Edward Aquilina will be able to make use of Noel Turner, Joe Brincat, Orosco Anonam and Daniel Bogdanovic, all of whom failed to start last week’s match against Hibernians.
On their part, the Stripes will also have Antoine Zahra and Matthew Calascione ruled out through injury.
Prior to this clash, Marsaxlokk will be facing Valletta in what is an important game for both teams.
Marsaxlokk need a victory to maintain their hopes of challenging for their first ever title win, while Valletta also need the points in their quest to avoid the Relegation Pool.
Marsaxlokk who also have a match in hand over Hibernians and Sliema, are ten points behind on 21, but a victory could push them to just seven. And considering that the points will be halved before the start of the second phase, then no one can rule the southern seasiders out of the chase for the title.
In the first round match, Valletta had managed a narrow 3-2 win, but this time, they will need to recoup all their resources to avoid defeat against a Marsaxlokk side seeking their fourth successive victory.
Programme
Ta’ Qali: 6pm Valletta-Marsaxlokk; 8pm Sliema W.-Birkirkara.
The Bank of Valletta Premier League continues this weekend with another four matches which herald the start of the last three rounds in the first phase.
Once again, we have a highly interesting programme which goes on to confirm that we will have an electrifying finish to the first phase and a much more interesting second phase whether it is the Championship or the Relegation Pool.
At present, Sliema, Hibernians, Birkirkara and Marsaxlokk are ascertained of their place in the Championship Pool, but there is a big battle raging at the other end where five clubs - Msida, Hamrun, Floriana, Valletta and Pieta - are all aiming to earn a berth in the top six, thus avoiding the Relegation Pool. Even Mosta are not yet in the Relegation Pool mathematically, but if they lose against Floriana tomorrow, then, their fate will be sealed.
The programme starts today with the important clash between Pieta and Valletta while in the match that follows, Hamrun come up against Birkirkara.
Tomorrow, Mosta take on Floriana in the opening encounter while in the match that follows, Sliema face the consistent Marsaxlokk.
Valletta need to win today's clash against Pieta if they are to maintain their hopes of avoiding the relegation Pool. If not, Pieta will join them on the 14 point mark and that will put them in a most embarrassing position.
The citizens will have Argentine newcomer Omar Monesterolo and English midfielder Craig Dean making their debut. They hope they will fit in immediately to give a much needed boost to the side which lost heavily 4-0 to Marsaxlokk in its last encounter.
On their part, even Pieta will have to improve considerably on their latest performances if they are to trouble the citizens who, on paper, seem to be stronger. The Hotspurs know they have a most difficult programme ahead of them and are aware that today's match and the next against Msida could be their life-savers.
They will also have two new foreigners among their ranks. They are Bulgarian Svetlan Kondev and Romanian Daniel Marius who will be replacing Sciuto and Ilian Deanov.
In the next match today, Birkirkara must be considered firm favourites to beat Hamrun Spartans, even if the latter did well in beating Mosta comfortably in midweek.
The Stripes are bubbling with enthusiasm, now that they are back at the top and playing with such great determination. They now aim to finish the first phase on top.
The Spartans are aware of the difficult task ahead of them, but will certainly do their ebst to try and keep the Stripes at bay.
Tomorrow, Floriana are also aware that their match against Mosta is important and that the three points are a must. In midweek, they were very unlucky to suffer defeat at the hands of Marsaxlokk – a draw would have been a fairer result.
Tomorrow, against the inconsistent Mosta, the Greens have to win the three points which will definitely be very useful in their battle to climb up the table and win a berth in the Championship Pool.
In the other match, Marsaxlokk aim to extend their current six-match winning streak although this will be very difficult against Sliema.
The Wanderers showed they were back at their best last Saturday as they annihilated Msida to the tune of 4-1. Of course, it will be more difficult against Marsaxlokk, but I feel the Blues have the edge over their opponents in every department.