Current league leaders Hamrun Spartans, the only team with a maximum six points after the opening two rounds, are aiming to maintain their perfect start tomorrow when they face Sliema Wanderers in their third match.
The Spartans have been somewhat impressive in their wins against Qormi and Tarxien Rainbows but tomorrow’s game is considered to be the stiffest they will be facing so far.
The programme starts today with a match between Tarxien Rainbows and Vittoriosa Stars, while in the second match, Valletta will be meeting Qormi. In tomorrow’s first match, Floriana will be taking on Marsaxlokk.
The match between Tarxien and Vittoriosa this afternoon will see both teams aiming for a first victory. The Stars are still searching for their first point having lost both matches they have played so far, while Tarxien have only garnered one point from two matches.
The match is expected to be balanced and keenly contested but I feel Tarxien should have the edge because of the experience gained last season.
For the Stars, it is imperative that they start winning points as quickly as possible. If not, they will remain lagging behind all the others and will find it even more difficult in the near future.
In the second match today, Valletta have a good chance of returning to winning form when they face mid-table placed Qormi.
After the 2-2 draw against Hibernians, the citizens now face Stephen Azzopardi’s side which still has to make an impact, despite the 4-2 win against Vittoriosa Stars the past weekend.
It will be the first clash for Valletta coach Jesmond Zerafa against his former club Qormi. He will have Gilbert Agius definitely out of the squad after his calf injury last week – he might remain out of action for another four weeks.
But he has received some good news about the condition of central defender Jonathan Caruana who was also injured in the match against the Paolites. Yesterday Zerafa said Caruana is recovering very quickly and might be available to play today, but a final decision will be taken today.
Qormi will certainly try to offer stiff opposition in the knowledge that a positive result against the title chasers will serve as a big boost for the club in its efforts to maintain last year’s presence among the elite clubs on the island.
Tomorrow Floriana, fresh from their impressive win over the champions last week, will seek to maintain their winning trend against newly promoted Marsaxlokk.
Todor Raykov’s boys produced a very good performance against Birkirkara last week, but this time they face a Marsaxlokk side which still has to concede its first goal this season.
The southern seasiders, in fact, have played two goalless draws so far and Patrick Curmi’s side has shown that it will not be easy to beat. However, they also have to show improvement up front if they are to start winning matches.
The Spartans will face Sliema in the final match tomorrow evening.
Steve D’Amato’s boys are playing with great confidence. They are certainly boosted by the return to midfield of David Camilleri and Ryan Fenech. Together with veteran Rupert Mangion, they have given the side a new lease of life and with the foreigners Hrubsa, Shields and Pereira as well as the other talented youngsters in the squad, they should be able to keep their place among the top clubs this season.
Tomorrow’s match, however, offers a strong challenge. In fact, they will be facing a Sliema side, which will be searching for its first win.
Mark Marlow’s side started on a disastrous note, losing 4-1 to a depleted Birkirkara side, but then figured in a goalless draw against Marsaxlokk. Now they are also aiming towards a win to start moving up the standings as quickly as possible.