Champions and currently second placed Valletta will be eyeing a return to winning form this evening as they entertain Balzan Youths in the second match on the programme at the Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun.

In the first match on the programme, commencing at 6pm, Mqabba face bottom placed Mosta.

The citizens were unexpectedly held to a 1-1 draw by Sliema Wanderers last week. With leaders Hibs also drawing against Hamrun and with Floriana being defeated by Birkirkara, those draws helped the two teams widen the gap at the top by one point, though they now have three – not one – teams following them.

The Citizens were quite unimpressive in their outing against Sliema and coach Jesmond Zerafa will certainly not be allowing his players to show any complacency.

The whole City clan must be aware that the Youths are full of enthusiasm after their most recent results saw them shoot up the table – they now have 11 points, just two behind sixth placed Sliema.

The Youths, coached by former Valletta star midfielder Ivan Zammit, have also surprised many pundits and this is what is making this season’s inaugural 12-team Premier League interesting.

In fact, whoever thought that Balzan and Mqabba would be in a position to challenge for a Top Six place – at least so far?

After their 3-1 win against Marsaxlokk last week, the Youths are confident that they can give Valletta a good run for their money. But they are aware it is no easy task.

They know that Valletta are hungry for the three points, especially after their partial lapse the past week.

With Hibernians facing a tough test against Floriana tomorrow, the citizens will be expected to go all out to get the three points in the hope that the Paolites might falter, thus enabling them to return to the top of the standings.

In the other match today, bottom placed Mosta will be expected to do their utmost to clinch a second win to improve on their lowly position.

Oliver Spiteri’s boys were hard hit in their last encounter when they lost heavily to Qormi. But all agreed that it was not easy to play against the Qormi side with a man less for more than 50 minutes after defender Federico Tisbi was sent off albeit rather harshly.

Mqabba will have several players returning from suspension. These are Mark Anthony Psaila, Clayton Micallef, Branislav Timotic and Marco Potezica. But top striker Bojan Mamic will be absent. He is still suspended although he should return to the side in the next match.

The two sides will be aiming to return to winning form after their respective defeats the past weekend.

Today’s sports programme

Football

Victor Tedesco Stadium: Bank of Valletta Premier League 6pm Mqabba-Mosta; 8.15pm Balzan Y.-Valletta.

Luxol Stadium: Bank of Valletta first division 6pm Melita-Dingli S.; 8pm Rabat A.-St Andrew’s

Centenary Stadium: Bank of Valletta second division 7pm Mellieha-Gudja U.

Handball

University Sports Hall: IHF/EHF Men’s Challenge Trophy 5.30pm Moldova-Scotland; 8pm Azerbaijan-Malta