Balzan aim to retain sole leadership by beating Hamrun
● Second placed Hibernians face tough test against improved St Andrews ● Valletta, Birkirkara and Floriana in battle for third place ● Veteran star Andrew Cohen set to make debut with Gzira U.
■ An interesting weekend is in store for local football followers as the Premier League enters its 21st round of matches (the clubs’ penultimate match before the start of the third and final round).
Balzan will be facing Hamrun Spartans today and will certainly be looking forward to win the three points to retain their sole leadership.
Second placed Hibernians will be somewhat under pressure to win the three points from their match against the improving St Andrews to keep as close as possible to the leaders.
Balzan will have the advantage of knowing the result of the St Andrews-Hibs match which is to be played earlier.
The battle for the berth in next season’s Europa League (via the third or possibly the fourth place) is hotting up. At present, the three teams involved are Valletta, Birkirkara and Floriana – four points separate third placed Valletta from fifth placed Floriana.
This weekend, Valletta face a tricky match against Tarxien, Birkirkara take on a strengthened Gzira United side while Floriana meet relegation haunted Mosta.
In the other match, Pembroke will be doing their utmost to obtain a positive result from their clash against Sliema as they continue fighting to avoid relegation.
Balzan will certainly be aiming to obtain the three points whatever the result of the earlier match between Hibernians and St Andrews.
Oliver Spiteri’s side are moving closer to their first ever title win, but they will have to keep their feet to the ground if they are entertaining serious hopes of winning the title.
They cannot take anything for granted. Against Hamrun, it will certainly be no easy game, even if the Spartans have done quite well so far occupying a safe mid-table position having returned to Premier League football this season.
It might be much more difficult for the Paolites against the much improved Saints.
The latter did well to hold Valletta to a 1-1 draw last week. Having said that, it is imperative for the Paolites to be cautious if they are to keep up the pace with the leaders.
Valletta seemed to have badly missed the services of Falcone and Benites as they were surprisingly held to a draw by St Andrews last week.
It was another disappointing performance by the citizens who are seeing their title hopes receding fast. At present, they are five points adrift of the leaders, but to keep their hopes alive and kicking, they must show an improvement and start winning the points that matter.
Against Tarxien tomorrow, it seems to be another tricky encounter. The Rainbows, under new coach Jesmond Zerafa, formerly of Valletta himself, have started this year on a very positive note and are in fact considered as the revelation side the past month. In fact, they have collected a full 14 points from their last six encounters.
If Zerafa’s side maintains such good form and continues collecting important points, they might also find themselves fighting for an Europa League berth.
Birkirkara, who seem to be finding their early season form once again, take on a strengthened Gzira United side tomorrow.
The Stripes showed a lot of improvement in last week’s 2-1 win against Hibernians. They are considered favourites to win another three points to maintain their revival.
The Maroons, however, have strengthened their squad, especially with the arrival of former Hibs and Malta star Andrew Cohen. Despite his veteran age, Cohen is bound to be a big asset in the Gzira side as his experience should bode well for such a team, desperately in need of points to avoid the Drop after just one season.
The Maroons are full of enthusiasm, not only with Cohen’s arrival, but also after their excellent 4-3 win against Floriana last weekend.
The Greens, surprise losers against Gzira, face Mosta this afternoon.
From the most in-form team to a mediocre side in just a few days, the Greens now need to get back their confidence if they are to continue dreaming of a berth in European football next season.
But Mosta, who did well to beat Sliema last week, will have other ideas. They also need the points in their battle against relegation. After last week’s impressive performance, they should also prove to be a tough nut to crack for Floriana.
In the remaining match, the other relegation-haunted club, Pembroke Athleta, face Sliema Wanderers.
Pembroke returned to winning form last week as they defeated Hamrun Spartans convincingly after having lost heavily 7-1 to Tarxien Rainbows the previous week.
Sliema do not seem to have any further interest in the proceedings. They are lying in a safe mid-table place and coach John Buttigieg’s aim from now onwards seems to be that of preparing the side seriously for the Trophy which could land them in Europe next season.
New faces
At the end of the January transfer market, several clubs, especially those at the bottom fighting against relegation, seem to have strengthened their ranks.
Pembroke signed Nigerian striker Joseph Okonkwo while Sliema Wanderers signed Italian defender Marco Botta.
As already said, Gzira United made a major signing as they obtained the services of former Hibs and Malta midfielder Andrew Cohen.
Mosta have been strengthened with the arrival of Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza from Hamrun Spartans, Tyrone Farrugia and Jonas Rodrigues Ekani who return with the club after a spell with Sirens. They have also acquired the services of two foreign strikers - César Romer, of Mexico, and Josué Ahouré, of France.
Balzan secured the services of Serbian defender Veljko Stanic while Birkirkara signed Colombian forward Jhon Adolfo Obregon Quinones.
Hamrun Spartans have signed goalkeeper Batusila Kambala (Congo), defender Christian Emeka Anigbobu (Nigeria) and French striker Mathieu Manset.
Standings
Balzan Hibernians Valletta Birkirkara Floriana Tarxien Sliema Hamrun St. Andrews Gzira Mosta Pembroke P W D L F APts 20 12 6 2 38 23 42 20 12 4 4 32 18 40 20 10 7 3 28 15 37 20 10 4 6 38 18 34 20 9 6 5 33 23 33 20 7 7 6 30 27 28 20 8 3 9 25 25 27 20 8 2 10 32 37 26 20 5 7 8 22 29 22 20 4 4 12 19 33 16 20 3 4 13 13 36 13 20 3 4 13 19 45 13