Next weekend there will be several decisive matches in the YoHealth Malta Premier Closing Round, especially for the Top 6 race and the title chase. Many teams are still fighting for qualification to the Top 6 phase, so a number of fixtures are crucial.
Teams like Sliema Wanderers, Valletta, Naxxar Lions and Birkirkara are still battling for the remaining Top-6 places. On the other hand Floriana and Ħamrun Spartans are among the teams chasing the championship.
The most high-pressure games are likely Birkirkara vs Floriana, Sliema Wanderers vs Gżira United, Marsaxlokk vs Valletta and Naxxar L. vs Hibernians.
With only limited points separating several teams, almost every possible result could reshape the standings dramatically.
A victory for Sliema Wanderers FC against Gżira United FC would significantly strengthen their chances of finishing inside the Top 6. Depending on results elsewhere, it could even guarantee qualification if rivals drop points.
A draw would keep their fate uncertain. In this case, results involving Valletta FC and Naxxar Lions FC become decisive.
Defeat would open the door for direct rivals, especially if Valletta FC manage to defeat Marsaxlokk FC.
For Valletta FC, the clash with Marsaxlokk FC could define their season. A win for either team could practically mean qualification into Europe always if Floriana and Hamrun take the top two spots once again. But if they draw Valletta's qualification chances would depend heavily on other results. A defeat increases pressure dramatically, possibly leaving them outside the Top 6.
The meeting between Birkirkara FC and Floriana FC is another crucial encounter. Floriana want to strengthen their position near the top and continue pushing for the championship. On the other hand the Stripes need a win to possibly but not certainly avoid playing in the wrong end. Ħamrun Spartans FC face Mosta FC knowing that victory could allow them to gain ground on their direct rivals for the title.
With so many teams separated by only a handful of points, the upcoming matchday in the Malta Premier League could dramatically reshape the standings. Every goal, every point, and every result will matter, as clubs fight either for a place in the Top 6 or to maintain momentum in the title race.
By the end of the weekend, the picture of the championship and qualification battles could look very different, confirming that the closing stage of the Maltese Premier League season promises high drama and intense competition.
'I was only interested in the points '
- Darren Abdilla, coach Gżira Utd. FC
'It was a very important match. I told the players today I'm not interested in the performance but it's all about the points' These were the first comments given by Gzira United coach Darren Abdilla following his team's win against Hibernians. Abdilla added. ' I think we didn't deserve this win since our opponents Hibernians were better than us all throughout the game. We made some substitutions late on and changed our tactical shape. I must give credit to all my players who kept on believing that the result will arrive since it was never an easy match.'
' We must now take the positives '
- Andrei Agius, coach Hibernians FC
'If we look at the table we know that we are doomed to once again play in the Bottom Six but we must take the positives.' Hibernians coach Andrei Agius following defeat against Gzira United. He continued. ' We were aware that we needed two wins from these last two matches and we only got a point. But the players are working hard and there are good signs. But the team played well and we deserved something better. But I believe that we are on the right track.'
CURIOSITIES
v Naxxar Lions coach Winston Muscat never lost as coach against Marsaxlokk. Yesterday's was his 6th time facing them and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. For the record, in the previous five meetings, when he was coach of Hamrun S., Sirens and Vittoriosa he won three and drew two.
v Joseph Mbong scored a brace in Hamrun Spartans 3-0 win over Birkirkara. And this is the first time in his career that he scored a double twice in the league. In fact he had also scored two goals against Naxxar in the 4-0 Closing Round win. With these goals he take his seasonal tally to ten.
v The wonder free kick scored by Clayton Failla was his first goal for this season. The 40 year old set piece expert found the net with a well placed free kick with few minutes left on the clock. Incidentally this was the sixth goal that Failla scored against his ex team, Hibernians.
CLOSING ROUND TABLE
Floriana 24
Hamrun S. 22
M'Xlokk 18
Gzira Utd. 17
Valletta 16
Naxxar L. 15
Sliema W. 13
B'Kara 12
Hibernians 11
Zabbar SP 9
Tarxien R. 5
Mosta 1
RESULTS - MD 26
Gżira Utd. - Hibernians 1-0
Żabbar SP - Mosta 5-3
Sliema W. - Floriana 0-1
Ħamrun S. - B'Kara 0-3
Valletta - Tarxien R. 3-1
M'Xlokk - Naxxar L. 1-1
NEXT MATCHES - MD 28
Saturday 14th March
National Stadium
2.00pm M'Xlokk - Valletta
Tony Bezzina Stadium
2.00pm Naxxar L. - Hibernians
Centenary Stadium
2.00pm B'Kara - Floriana
Victor Tedesco Stadium
2.00pm Sliema W. - Gżira Utd.
Sunday 15th March
Tony Bezzina Stadium
2.00pm Tarxien R. - Żabbar SP
National Stadium
4.00pm Mosta - Ħamrun S.
CLEAN SHEETS
Ħamrun S. 17
Valletta 12
Birkirkara 12
Floriana 11
Gżira Utd. 9
Marsaxlokk 8
Sliema W. 7
Żabbar SP 6
Mosta 5
Naxxar L. 4
Hibernians 3
Tarxien R. 1
TOP SCORERS
L. Villela (Hibernians) 11
Y. Messias (Valletta) 11
J. Mbong (Hamrun S.) 10
J. Grech (Floriana) 9
P. Emanuel (Mosta) 9
P. Santiago Cejas (Zabbar SP) 9
C. Padilha Mendonca (Hibernians) 8
A. Penha da Costa (Gżira Utd.) 8
Ailton Soares (M'Xlokk) 8
M. Jah (Floriana) 7
Vitinho (Naxxar L.) 7
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