Balzan may extend lead at the top
● Leaders favourites to take maximum points against Gzira United ● Hibs, Valletta clash in top match of weekend ● Floriana, Birkirkara and Sliema need points in battle for 4th place ● Bottom clubs in search of precious points
■ The Bank of Valletta Premier League will once again be at full swing this weekend (weather permitting) with two matches today and the remaining four on the programme tomorrow.
The top match of the week is being played tomorrow when second placed Hibernians and third placed Valletta meet in an important clash at Ta’ Qali.
Meanwhile, at the same time, leaders Balzan will be facing Gzira United at the Hibernians Stadium in Corradino.
Fourth placed Floriana, fifth placed Birkirkara and sixth placed Sliema will again be searching for precious points when they face Hamrun S., Pembroke Athleta and Tarxien Rainbows respectively.
In the remaining match, the struggling Mosta will be seeking to lift themselves off the bottom place by beating eighth placed St Andrews.
As already said, the top attraction this weekend is the clash between title challengers Hibernians and Valletta.
At present, after 16 matches, the Paolites are second, just one point adrift of leaders Balzan who have 34 points. Valletta are third on 30 points.
With Balzan firm favourites to win the three points from their encounter with lowly Gzira United, it is obvious that both Hibs and Valletta will be seeking to maintain the pace with the leaders in the hunt for the title.
In such a match, there are no favourites and I will not be surprised if a draw will be the outcome, but I am sure the two coaches, Mark Miller and Paul Zammit, will be happier seeing their teams winning all the three points.
Hibernians have once again lost the services of Brazilian striker Edison dos Santos Tarabai who has again earned a lucrative contract with a Saudi Arabian club.
It is not yet known whether the Paolites will be strengthening their squad after this Tarabai move.
One setback for Mark Miller’s outfit is the absence of Johann Bezzina, who is suspended.
On the other hand, Valletta will be having goalie Henry Bonello missing – he joined Birkirkara - but will have two newcomers to their squad. They are former Birkirkara international midfielder Rowen Muscat and a former Lithuanian international striker, Tomas Radzinevicius.
Balzan will have three key players missing for this match. They are strikers Alfred Effiong and Bojan Keljevic, and midfielder Elkin Serrano Valero – all suspended.
Coach Oliver Spiteri will certainly have to reshuffle his front line in his efforts to keep Balzan firmly at the top of the standings.
Gzira do not have any suspended players, but they are desperate for points – they are a mere four points above bottom placed Mosta and Pembroke.
But they will have three newcomers among their ranks - Abdullah Adeshina, Louis Zome from Cameroon and for St George’s player Emerson Amaira.
Floriana will be seeking a ninth win as they take on Hamrun Spartans.
The Greens are battling for a possible third or fourth placing this season and that could mean a return to European football next season.
It will not be easy against the Spartans who will have the advantage of playing in front of their own fans at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, but I think the Greens have enough guns to outpower the Spartans.
The latter, however, have new coach Jacques Scerri, formerly of Tarxien, in charge. And he hopes to start his spell with the Spartans with a positive result.
Floriana have Steve Pisani and Ryan Camenzuli ruled out through suspension.
Birkirkara should be considered favourites to collect a second consecutive win when they face bottom club Pembroke.
The Stripes showed a glimpse of their early season form last Wednesday when they outclassed Mosta to go fifth in the standings.
Pembroke seem to have been somewhat weakened by the departure of some players including Mano Micallef, who is expected to join Hamrun Spartans.
Moreover, Pembroke also have three players suspended. They are Asani Djeljilj, Filippo Andrea Scozzese and Stanley Akuta.
Sixth placed Sliema W. will also be going all out to gain all three points from their clash with Tarxien Rainbows, but this will certainly be no easy task as the latter, now under the charge of Jesmond Zerafa, seem be enjoying a revival.
Sliema’s Peter Xuereb and Alex Muscat are ruled out through suspension.
In the other match on the programme, Mosta will be expected to do their utmost to improve upon their current bottom position as they take on St Andrews who are comfortably placed in mid-table.
Mosta failed miserably in midweek when facing Birkirkara and they will have to show a vast improvement, especially at the back if they are to achieve a positive result. Last Wednesday, Birkirkara would have registered a tennis score had it not been for some excellent saves by goalie Yenz Cini especially during the second half.
The Saints will also be glad to secure another three points to their tally which will move them to a safer placing in the standings.
But they will have some players missing through suspension. They are Ante Bakmaz and Enmy Pena Beltre.
Standings
Balzan Hibernians Valletta Floriana Birkirkara Sliema W Hamrun S St.Andrews Tarxien R Gzira U Pembroke A Mosta P W D L F A Pts 16 10 4 2 32 19 34 16 10 3 3 25 14 33 16 8 6 2 25 13 30 16 8 5 3 22 13 29 16 8 3 5 33 15 27 16 7 3 6 20 19 24 16 6 2 8 26 30 20 16 5 4 7 18 24 19 16 4 6 6 18 24 18 16 3 4 9 14 24 13 16 2 3 11 15 34 9 16 2 3 11 10 29 9