Pietro Ghedin’s Malta side will be in action today in Parnu facing home side Estonia in a friendly match in preparation for next Sunday’s opening World Cup 2018 Group F qualifier against Scotland.
The Italian mentor has taken a squad of 20 players for today’s match and barring any injuries, these will possibly be retained in view of Sunday’s clash against Scotland at Ta’ Qali.
It is a good test for the Malta side which includes almost all the usual established players. It is also possibly the best squad available to the national coach judging from the form shown in the matches played so far in the Premier League.
Ghedin’s starting line up should not differ much from the following:
A. Hogg, Z. Muscat, J. Caruana, A. Agius, C. Failla; S. Borg, P. Fenech, R. Briffa, L. Gambin, G. Sciberras, A. Schembri.
The match is to kick off at 6.30pm (Malta time).
Malta squad
Goalkeepers: Andrew Hogg (Hibernians FC), Henry Bonello (Valletta FC).
Defenders: Andrei Agius (Hibernians FC), Jonathan Caruana (Valletta FC), Zach Muscat (Arezzo FC) Steve Borg (Valletta FC), Ryan Camilleri (Valletta FC), Clifford Gatt Baldacchino (Gzira Utd FC), Joseph Zerafa (Birkirkara FC), Clayton Failla (Hibernians FC).
Midfielders: Paul Fenech (Balzan FC), Roderick Briffa (Valletta FC), Gareth Sciberras (Birkirkara FC), Bjorn Kristensen (Hibernians FC), Luke Gambin (Barnet FC), Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara FC).
Strikers: Andre’ Schembri (Boavista FC), Alfred Effiong (Balzan FC), Michael Mifsud (Valletta FC), Jean Paul Farrugia (Sliema Wanderers FC).