Sliema Wanderers can make sure of a berth in the Top Six (Championship Pool) this afternoon when two other Premier matches are to be played at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

In the first match, Mqabba come up against Qormi while in the second, Sliema face Hamrun Spartans.

Of course, the Blues must win their clash against Hamrun and hope that Qormi lose their clash against Mqabba to make sure of playing in the Championship Pool in the second phase.

The Blues will be facing a Spartans side lacking morale after their recent disappointing performances which have kept them locked to their berth near the bottom end of the standings.

With coach Jesmond Zammit leaving, it is now up to former club star striker Stefan Sultana, appointed new coach earlier this week, to lift the spirits of the team in an effort to stave off relegation at the end of the season.

But to do that they have to start winning the points that matter. And today’s match is being considered by the Reds as their starting point.

Sultana & Co are definitely aware of their mammoth task, but the season is not yet into its half way stage and therefore nothing has been lost so far.

Despite missing their suspended defenders Clifford Gatt Baldacchino and Josef Mifsud, Sliema will certainly be going out for the three points, especially if Qormi lose against Mqabba. Doncic’s side was held to a 1-1 draw last week by Tarxien and they were overtaken by Birkirkara for fourth place after the latter’s 4-0 win against Balzan.

In the opening match today, Mqabba will be eager to collect three more points which will be very useful for second phase purposes.

But Qormi should be expected to show more determination than of late if they still entertain some hopes of making it into the Top Six.

The Yellow Blacks know that they have an easier looking programme than the team four points above them, Balzan, and know that they are still in the running.

A victory against Mqabba, who will be without central defender Branislav Timotic due to suspension, will not only put pressure on Sliema and Balzan and, to a certain extent, Birkirkara as well, but will also push them to within a point of Balzan.

Other players suspended for the weekend are:

Clifton Ciantar and Pedro Calcado (Balzan Y), Thomas Paris (Floriana), Clayton Failla (Hibernians), Adrian Borg and Ian Zammit (Mosta) and Modesto Valeriani (Marsaaxlokk)