Champions Birkirkara will be trying to win back prestige this evening when facing Hamrun Spartans in a Bank of Valletta Premier League clash at the Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun (kick-off 7.30pm).

It is not an easy task for the Stripes not only because the match is being played at their opponents’ ground, but also because the Spartans are passing through a good moment following their 4-3 win against Hibernians last Sunday.

Hamrun, in fact, are occupying joint second place with Marsaxlokk on nine points, two behind the leaders Valletta, and are certainly aware that they can return to the top, at least temporarily, this evening, if they register a win against the Stripes.

But Steve D’Amato’s boys have to avoid the mistakes committed last Sunday when they almost squandered a 4-0 lead by the start of the second half. In fact, Hibernians almost snatched an equaliser near the end had it not been for an excellent save by goalie Ivan Casha.

Birkirkara also have to forget about the disastrous performance on Sunday which saw them being humiliated to the tune of 5-2 by Marsaxlokk.

Coach Paul Zammit must have worked hard this week on his defence which was at sixes and sevens whenever Alfred Effiong had the ball. Today it will be facing two other lethal strikers in the form of Marcelo Pereira and Peter Anizoba and it will have to be at its very best to keep them at bay.