Malta, bottom of the Group will be seeking their first point or points in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying as they host a Croatia side lying second in the group and pushing hard for a place in the finals.

Apart from a point, at least, Malta is also seeking a first goal at home.

On their part, Croatia are just one point off the Group leaders Greece and this will make it even harder for Buttigieg’s boys this evening.

In the Zgreb match last November, Croatia won comfortably 3-0 with first half strikes from Niko Kranjčar and a late third from substitute Nikola Kalinić giving the hosts three points on a rain-sodden pitch at the Stadion Maksimir.

Malta has played Croatia five times, drawing just one and losing the other four.

Croatia’s last visit to Ta’Qali for a FIFA World Cup qualifier in September 2005 was not one they would care to remember. Having won the home fixture 3-0, Croatia were 1-0 up after 19 minutes, Kranjčar scoring for a side coached by his father Zlatko. However, Stephen Wellman crashed home a free-kick to level matters on 74 minutes, with Mario Tokić’s dismissal completing a frustrating night for the Balkan side.

On that day, Croatian supporters wrought havoc at the Ta’ Qali stadium and one sincerely hopes such incidents are not repeated this evening.

It is also interesting to note that when the teams first met in UEFA EURO 2000 qualifying, current Malta coach John Buttigieg was in the home side that took a 1-0 lead in Ta’ Qali on 10 October 1998 but went on to lose 4-1. Croatia won the return fixture in Zagreb 2-1.