The Bank of Valletta Premier League promises to have a most interesting end to 2006 with a four-match programme between this evening and tomorrow afternoon.
The programme starts this evening when at the National Stadium, Ta’ Qali, two highly interesting matches will be played.
In the opening encounter, at 6pm, a heavily depleted Sliema Wanderers side will be facing a re-emerging Birkirkara. In the second match on the programme, Msida will try to consolidate second place when meeting Valletta.
The opening encounter promises to be a clash worth watching, considering the current form of both teams.
On their part, Sliema have gone through a positive run of five matches since Ray ‘Zazu’ Farrugia took over. In fact, they are still unbeaten under his charge.
So far, they have obtained 13 points from a possible 15, even if they still have to show the form which had given them a successive three championship titles prior to last season.
In fact, the Blues will once again have to do without several players, including Brian Said, Mauro Di Lello, Stefan Giglio, Chucks Nwoko, Claude Mattocks, Noel Turner and Orosco Anonam.
On the other hand, Birkirkara coach Stephen Azzopardi will be in a stronger position, for once. His team has now succeeded in obtaining two consecutive wins and that should help to bring more consistency in the side.
Moreover, international player Roderick Briffa, in fact, is expected to be in the squad, if not on the field of play, after a very long lay-off through injury.
If Azzopardi decides to include him in the starting line-up, then he will be back on the right flank, thus allowing Roderick Sammut to take the suspended William Camenzuli’s place.
Another international, Etienne Barbara, who is thought to be a January target for Sliema, should also make it to the Stripes’ starting line-up.
Still, Azzopardi cannot make use of Polish goalie Andrej Bledzewski, Argentine midfielder Dario Larrosa and defender Mark Anthony Bonnici, all ruled out through injury.
At present, as can be seen from the standings, neither of the two teams is yet certain of a place in the Championship Pool and that makes them yearn for the three points today.
In the second match, Msida will be trying to take advantage of Valletta’s suspended duo of Massimo Grima and Ian Zammit to consolidate their exalted, albeit quite merited, second placing in the standings.
Msida this year have shown that their standing is not just a flash in the pan. In fact, their performances have been quite convincing and Valletta could be in for some more trouble after their defeat at the hands of leaders Marsaxlokk last week.
The citizens’ coach Paul Zammit will have to reshuffle his side somewhat because of the two suspended players, but I am sure he will be able to stimulate his side in trying to return to the positive side of things once again.
But if Msida’s foreign trio of Zongo, Nwoke and Babatunde – among the best on the island at present – can show their best form, it will be a difficult match for Valletta.