Two top clashes at weekend as leaders Gzira face tough test
● Maroons face Balzan and Sliema meet Hibernians ● St AndrewsSenglea and Tarxien-Qormi are direct relegation battles
It should be another interesting weekend of Premier League matches this weekend as there are four matches which can be described as direct encounters – two at the top and another two at the bottom of the standings.
Tomorrow, at the Centenary Stadium, leaders Gzira will be facing joint third placed Balzan, while on Monday, also at the Centenary Stadium, second placed Sliema will be meeting another third placed side, Hibernians.
Today’s Hamrun-Birkirkara match can be considered as a mid-table clash, though the Stripes enjoy a three-point lead over the Spartans.
At the other end of the standings, we have two other direct battles: St Andrews-Senglea and Tarxien-Qormi.
The other weekend matches are Floriana-Pieta and VallettaMosta.
WEEKEND HIGHLIGHT
The top match this weekend is definitely the Gzira-Balzan clash to be played tomorrow.
At present after 7 matches, Gzira enjoy sole leadership with 19 points, while Balzan are four points behind on 15.
It is evident that Gzira will be aiming to maintain their current positive run – they are the only unbeaten team in the competition.
The Maroons had to fight harder than expected to beat bottom placed Senglea in their last match. Then, they also had veteran midfielder Andrew Cohen sent off and he will therefore miss this important clash.
On their part, Balzan came back strongly after their debacle against Valletta, as they overcame Floriana 2-0 the past weekend.
The team did well to forget everything about that disastrous defeat against the Citizens and will now be expected to look forward to obtain another positive result against the league leaders.
Second placed Sliema will certainly be very interested spectators at the above match as a slip by the Maroons could see them joining their neighbours at the top or perhaps moving closer.
Of course they will have to beat the improving Hibernians although they will have the advantage of knowing the result of the Gzira-Balzan clash.
Hibernians, on their part, cannot be taken for granted. They are on 15 points, just one point behind the Wanderers and seem ready to pounce strongly on every opportunity which could see them bridging the gap with the leaders.
In their last match, they had to dig deep to keep Hamrun at bay after taking a 2-1 lead early in the second half.
Another joint third placed team, Valletta, should not find any difficulty to register a 6th win on the trot as they face Mosta.
The Citizens are growing in stature every week and it will be difficult for Mosta who, however, gave Sliema a good run for their money before going down 2-1 the past weekend.
The Hamrun-Birkirkara match this evening should be a keenly fought encounter between two balanced sides.
The Stripes are coming from a win against Tarxien, while the Spartans were beaten by Hibernians.
Birkirkara have a three-point lead over the Spartans at present, but both teams will be aiming for the three points, if they are to entertain hopes of remaining within reach of the top placings.
Floriana will also be aiming for the three points as they face lowly placed Pieta.
The Greens were back on the losing end the past weekend and so they will be looking forward to return to winning form.
The same goes to Pieta who received a drubbing from Valletta and now will want to win more points in their battle against relegation.
St Andrews seem to have a good chance to register a third consecutive win as they face bottom club Senglea.
The latter must pull up their socks quickly if they are to move up from bottom place.
The other match, Tarxien v Qormi, is also a direct relegation clash and one expects both sides to go all out to get the three points. This could also be a match worth watching.
Today
Bank of Valletta Premier League 7pm Hamrun S.-Birkirkara
The Malta FA Trophy
7pm Kirkop-Vittoriosa S.
The Malta FA Trophy 6pm Mellieha-Kalkara 8.15pm Gudja-Sirens.
Tomorrow
Bank of Valletta Premier League 3pm Tarxien R.-Qormi 5.15pm Gzira U.-Balzan
Bank of Valletta Premier League 3pm Floriana-Pieta H.
5.15pm Valletta-Mosta
The Malta FA Trophy
4pm Xewkija T.-Mqabba.
The Malta FA Trophy
3pm St George’s-Lija Ath. 5.15pm Mgarr-San Gwann
The Malta FA Trophy
3pm St Venera L.-Pembroke A. 5.15pm Marsa-Gharghur
Sunday
The Malta FA Trophy
3pm Zabbar SP-Nadur Y. 5.15pm Sta Lucia-B’Buga SP.
The Malta FA Trophy
2pm Sannat L.-Qrendi 4.15pm Victoria H.-Siggiewi
The Malta FA Trophy
3pm Fgura-Ghaxaq 5.15pm Melita-Swieqi U.
The Malta FA Trophy
3pm Mdina K.-Gharb R. 5.15pm Luqa SA-Rabat Ajax
The Malta FA Trophy
3pm Zebbug R.-Marsaxlokk 5.15pm Naxxar L.-Zejtun C.
Monday
Bank of Valletta Premier League 6pm St Andrews-Senglea 8.15pm Sliema W.-Hibernians