After a four-week break, the BOV Premier League action resumes this evening with a clash between the two promoted sides Mqabba and Balzan Youths (kick off 6pm) as the championship enters an interesting phase.
With five points more than their opponents and one place above them in the standings, Balzan stand a good chance of making it to the Championship Pool if they can capitalize on Qormi’s present run of poor results. Qormi are level with 20 points each after 15 matches.
This is more than many might have expected from Balzan. They won three of their last four outings before the league’s interruption and although the unexpected defeat against Mosta did dampen their spirits, their latest win against Hibernians (3-2), almost a month ago, must have surely been their most significant so far in the season.
The Youths can still relish their potential. Forward Kim Bright will be missed for the rest of the season as he is playing in Norway but Balzan are expected to find a replacement soon.
On the other hand, Mqabba have only registered one win from their last five matches. They remain the second lowest scoring team (behind Mosta) in the Premier League and although they play good football, they need to turn all their possession more ruthlessly into goals.
Mqabba welcome defender Julian Briffa, on loan from Sliema Wanderers for the remainder of the season as well as Nigerian striker John Nwoba to boost their attack. They will have Marlon Briffa missing through suspension.
Mqabba had won the first round match 2-1, with a brace from Thiago Mazzitelli
Tarxien Rainbows and Mosta, separated by only three points, face each other in the second match (kick off 8.15pm).
Bottom side Mosta were on course for a revival recently with two consecutive draws and a win since Steve D’Amato was appointed as the team’s new coach. But that was cut short by a narrow defeat against Valletta in early December.
Mosta will be boosted by the additions of midfielder Florent Raimy and striker Obinna Obiefule, who both joined from Marsaxlokk for the rest of the season. They will however be without their suspended midfielder Nicola Bogdanovic.
Tarxien Rainbows are not doing much better either and were expected to make better strides forward by this time. The fact that they only beat Mosta 1-0 in the first round, suggests that a fine line separates these sides. The Rainbows only managed to beat Qormi 2-0 before the break, following defeats against Hamrun Spartans, Floriana, Valletta and Sliema Wanderers. They hope that the New Year will bring a change in fortune as their hopes of avoiding the Relegation Pool remain very slim already.