Hamrun Spartans and Valletta play their last match of the BOV Premier League First Round today at Ta’ Qali National Stadium (kick off 7.30pm).

Valletta have the chance to increase their lead to seven points at the top in case of a win while Hamrun will try to lift themselves into second place above Tarxien Rainbows and Floriana.

At present, the Spartans are just one point adrift of the two teams above them and five off Valletta.

Hamrun’s performance was not convincing in their last outing against Vittoriosa Stars, but the team remained composed enough to stifle their opponents’ attacks. That earned them an important morale-boosting win at the end, albeit with a huge slice of luck.

Their lofty table position after the First Round is quite satisfactory but the Spartans cannot rest on their laurels. Six teams are seperated by only three points and any slip may see them overtaken in the standings.

Hamrun may opt for the same defensive tactics as against Vittoriosa with three defensive midfielders, dropping one forward.

Valletta played a goalless draw against neighbours Floriana on Saturday despite playing with ten men, after having defender Ramon Dos Santos sent off past the half hour.

They are still the only unbeaten side in the Premier League.

Dos Santos will miss today’s match and centre back Jonathan Caruana has still to pass a fitness test after sufferring injury against Floriana.

But the strength in depth of Jesmond Zerafa’s squad still leaves Valletta as favourites to win today and widen the gap at the top.