The sixth round of the Premier League includes the first big clash of the season – Hibernians v Valletta – to be played tomorrow at Ta’ Qali. It is the last match on the card which also includes three other matches between today and tomorrow.
All the four games are to be played at the National Stadium, Ta’ Qali. Today, the first match will be that between Rabat and Sliema to be followed by the Mosta-Floriana clash. Tomorrow, the first on the card is the game between Tarxien and Birkirkara to be followed by the clash between Hibernians and Valletta.
No doubt, the last game tomorrow between the two league leaders will be the highlight of the whole programme and a bumper crowd is expected to watch the match.
The two sides have had an impressive start to the season winning all their five matches so far, most of them in convincing manner. Now tomorrow’s match will be the first big test for both of them as they face each other in what must be considered as the most important match so far in the competition.
The Paolites will be seriously handicapped with the absence of goalkeeper Mario Muscat and striker Marcelo Dias, both of them suspended after having been sent off last week in the 2-3 win against Balzan.
The citizens have no suspensions or injury worries and former Hibs mentor Mark Miller will be able to face his former boys with his best possible formation; that will include top striker Michael Mifsud who notched six goals in City’s runaway 8-2 victory against Hamrun Spartans last week.
In the other match tomorrow, third placed Birkirkara will be eyeing a return to victory after having lost their unbeaten record in the match against Sliema last week.
The Stripes, however, will have to play much better than they did against the Wanderers if they wish to overcome the Rainbows, who are passing through a good patch, having won their last two matches, thus moving to a mid-table placing in the standings.
The Rainbows are bubbling with enthusiasm having cancelled out their poor start to the season. Now they aim to continue looking forward with optimism as they seek to obtain more points in their quest to move further up the table.
Today, the most important clash is the Mosta-Floriana encounter – the second on the card.
Mosta have now registered three wins on the trot and have moved up to fourth place in the standings on nine points, one ahead of the Greens, who occupy fifth place.
In the other match, Rabat Ajax will be facing Sliema Wanderers.
The Blues seemed to be rejuvenated last week as they overcame Birkirkara convincingly 3-1 and they now seek to extend their winning run with another win today.
On their part, Rabat are still searching for their first win this season. In their previous matches, the Magpies have been rather unlucky. They just hope that Lady Luck will smile on them this time round.