Hibernians face Balzan in crucial top-of-the-table clash tomorrow
● Keenly contested derby expected between Floriana and Valletta ● Mosta and Pembroke keep trying to avoid bottom place
The Bank of Valletta Premier League enters its 27th round this weekend with two top-of-thetable clashes to be played tomorrow which has been labelled as a “Super Sunday at Ta’ Qali.”
In fact, in the first match on tomorrow’s programme at the National Stadium, leaders Hibernians take on second placed Balzan, while in the match that follows, arch rivals Floriana and Valletta meet each other in another important clash (for various reasons).
In the other four matches – to be played this afternoon – the most important are those involving the two relegation-haunted clubs, Pembroke and Mosta with the former facing Gzira United and Mosta playing against Birkirkara. In the other matches, it will be StAndrews-Sliema and Tarxien R.Hamrun S.
Tomorrow, however, is a very big day at Ta’ Qali. The two matches are of significant importance in the knowledge that seven matches remain to be played till the end of the campaign. These direct clashes could see some important changes in the standings as has been happening during this third round with the lead changing hands between Hibernians and Balzan several times.
Tomorrow, the match between the two clubs finds the Paolites leading their rivals by two points while Valletta, who meet Floriana later in the afternoon, are three points adrift of the leaders and one behind Balzan.
It is clearly a very interesting situation and one which augurs some very keen and interesting clashes which should attract the largest crowd at Ta’ Qali this season.
Hibernians will obviously be looking for the three points to increase their lead at the top, but a draw will also be enough for them to remain leaders at least till next Wednesday when they will be facing Valletta.
The Paolites have been showing more consistency of late and this is what makes them look ahead with confidence for the match against Balzan.
However, Mark Miller’s boys are aware that the second placed club is certainly a very strong team and I am sure that Balzan will be going all out to regain the league leadership by beating the Paolites.
Oliver Spiteri’s side seem to be determined to forget all about the defeat at the hands of Valletta so as to be able to offer their best tomorrow.
Despite that defeat, Balzan are still in a challenging position and even a draw might be satisfying for them as that will definitely keep them in the running.
When facing their arch rivals Floriana, Valletta will certainly be aiming for the three points as they are aware that tomorrow could be the day which will see them closing the gap between them and the leaders to a minimum.
In fact, if the Hibs-Balzan match ends in a draw and Valletta win, then Hibs will remain leaders on 57 points. They will be followed by Valletta on 56 and Balzan on 55. And that clearly makes it a three-horse race in the title runin.
However, Valletta cannot take things for granted against their sporting rivals. The
Greens, in fact, are occupying fourth place in the standings and that could well mean a place in Europe next season, if they fail in the FA Trophy which they are favourites to win.
And the rivalry which exists between the two teams will make this encounter even more interesting than ever before.
If Floriana falter against the citizens, Birkirkara will probably occupy the fourth place and they are expected to move into that position today by beating lowly placed Mosta.
The latter must show considerable improvement if they are to continue their fight against relegation.
The same applies to Pembroke who, like Mosta, have been a sort of cushion for most of the remaining teams in the competition. They have both lost 18 of the 26 matches played!
The other two matches are midtable encounters which offer little or no interest at all except for Sliema and Tarxien, who will certainly be taking their remaining matches as preparation for their FA Trophy semifinals- a Trophy win will land them in European football next season.
Standings
Hibernians Balzan Valletta Floriana Birkirkara Sliema Tarxien St. Andrews Gzira Hamrun Mosta Pembroke 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 17 5 4 47 23 56 16 6 4 54 29 54 15 8 3 43 17 53 13 7 6 42 26 46 13 6 7 48 24 45 10 5 11 32 33 35 7 8 11 31 33 29 6 10 10 29 37 28 8 4 14 31 40 28 8 4 14 37 50 28 4 4 18 18 59 16 3 5 18 22 63 14