Tough matches for Hibernians and Balzan
● Rampant Citizens now face Gzira ● Relegation battle: Pembroke face rivals St Andrews in derby as Mosta take on Tarxien
It should turn out to be another interesting weekend as the Bank of Valletta Premier League moves into the 29th round.
With just five matches remaining to the end of the campaign, the title chase is again wide open with just two points separating leaders Hibernians from their chasers Valletta and Balzan.
This weekend, Hibernians and Floriana seem to have the toughest task. The Paolites will be taking on Floriana while Balzan face neighbours Birkirkara. Valletta should find no difficulty in disposing of mid-table Gzira United.
The relegation battle which involves just two clubs – Mosta and Pembroke – remains tight as both clubs seem to have forgotten how to win a match! Mosta are at present enjoying a twopoint lead over Pembroke.
This weekend, Pembroke face close neighbours St Andrews in the derby, while Mosta take on mid-table Tarxien Rainbows.
In the remaining match, Hamrun face Sliema W.
The top match is certainly the Floriana-Hibernians encounter to be played tomorrow.
The Paolites will have the advantage of knowing what they have to do as the match comes one day after Valletta and Balzan will be in action (this afternoon).
Mark Miller’s boys will certainly have to forget about the defeat against Valletta in the final moments of their gigantic clash last Wednesday. That defeat has allowed Valletta – and Balzan – to get back strongly into the title race.
And against Floriana, it is certainly not going to be easy. The Greens, in fact, are in a battle with Birkirkara for the fourth place as that may mean a berth in next season’s Europa League (if they fail to win the FA Trophy).
It means that Floriana will certainly be going all out to obtain a positive result which will keep them close to Birkirkara who are just one point above them in the standings.
The Stripes, however, will also have to be at their very best to get out of their ordeal with Balzan with flying colours.
Birkirkara are passing through a good patch at present and will be expected to offer a very strong challenge, even if they are still finding it difficult to pierce opposing defences.
Balzan are once again full of enthusiasm in the knowledge that the Hibs defeat against Valletta has given them the chance to bounce back in the title race.
By this evening, they could be joint leaders with Valletta, if both emerge victorious from their encounters.
Valletta should not find it difficult to beat Gzira in this afternoon’s first match.
The citizens are well aware that they could be the new league leaders (possibly with Balzan) if they win today and Hibs lose once again tomorrow.
But they are also well aware that the Maroons could offer a strong challenge especially with the return to the side after suspension of veteran midfielder Andrew Cohen and reliable central defender Diamoutene.
In midweek, without these two players who were suspended, the United were defeated 3-1 by Balzan.
In the battle against relegation, Mosta and Pembroke seem to have forgotten how to win a match!
Pembroke have now gone five matches without a win, losing them all, after having beaten Mosta 5-0 (they lost the points of that match after Mosta lodged and won a protest).
On the other hand, Mosta have suffered seven consecutive defeats since they defeated Sliema 2-0 on 28 January.
Judging from these past matches, the last encounter between them on the final day could well be a decider.
For the record, these are the remaining matches for the two clubs:
v. Tarxien R., v. Hamrun S., Sliema W., Floriana and Pembroke.
v. St Andrews, v. Tarxien R., v. Hamrun S., v. Sliema W. and v. Mosta. Hibernians Valletta Balzan Birkirkara Floriana Sliema Tarxien Gzira St. Andrews Hamrun Mosta Pembroke 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 18 5 5 50 25 59 16 9 3 45 18 57 17 6 5 58 33 57 15 6 7 53 24 51 14 8 6 45 28 50 11 6 11 37 35 39 7 10 11 33 35 31 9 4 15 37 44 31 7 10 11 32 42 31 8 5 15 39 53 29 4 4 20 19 64 16 3 5 20 23 70 14