Title race may be restricted to the top two clubs this weekend
● Valletta, Hibs expected to win easily ● Third placed Gzira face challenge from Birkirkara ● Relegationhaunted clubs face tough matches
The Bank of Valletta Premier League continues this weekend with another interesting programme. At the top, the picture might become much more clear as the race could be restricted to just the two teams at the top, that is Valletta and Hibernians.
This is because these two teams face clubs from the lower part of the table, while third placed Gzira, already six points behind the leading duo, now face what should be a tough match against Birkirkara.
Apart from the title challenge, there is also a lot of interest in the run-up for the 3rd and even 4th place and also in the relegation battle where the bottom four clubs face tough opposition this weekend.
At present, Valletta and Hibernians lead the standings on 40 points. They are followed by Gzira on 34, Hamrun 33, Birkirkara 29, Balzan and Sliema on 28.
Then come Tarxien on 19, Floriana and St Andrews have 18 points, while Senglea and Mosta have 16. Pieta are on 10 and Qormi prop up the table with just 7 points.
As already said, both Valletta and Hibernians should find little or no difficulty in disposing of Senglea and St Andrews respectively. But they cannot take their adversaries for granted. Simply because Senglea are riding the crest of the waves, coming from four consecutive victories, while St Andrews showed a lot of commitment and endeavour in holding Sliema to a 1-1 draw the past weekend.
MATCH OF WEEK
The match of the week is undoubtedly Sunday’s clash between Gzira United and Birkirkara.
It is probably the last chance for both to continue dreaming of ‘European’success via the League.
In the case of Gzira, they still cannot be ruled out of remaining in the hunt for the title with nine matches still to be played. But their main target now is the 3rd place which will guarantee an Europa League berth next season.
As for Birkirkara, it is obvious they need a victory to move to just two points below the Maroons in their quest to continue their challenge for third place.
Of course, the two sides’ European dream will not end here in the league, as both of them have qualified for the Trophy quarterfinals.
The much improved Hamrun Spartans have a good chance to advance on their 4th position. They will be facing lowly Mosta tomorrow. If they win that match, they will overtake Gzira in third place, ahead of the latter’s match against Birkirkara on Sunday.
Of course, the Spartans have to overcome the resilient Mosta side which, under the charge of Mark Miller, has shown signs of much improvement culminating in the elimination of Sliema from the FA Trophy, the victory against Tarxien and a goalless draw against Balzan.
Pieta and Qormi will be expected to do their utmost to return to win- ning form in their efforts to gain points in the battle against relegation.
Pieta will be facing Balzan on Sunday, while Qormi take on Floriana tomorrow.
The Hotspurs were somewhat unlucky to have lost all the three points in last weekend’s clash against 10-man Senglea and they will have to be at their very best to lower Balzan’s colours, although the latter have been somewhat disappointing in their recent matches, especially the 2-1 defeat at the hands of Senglea, but also in the goalless draw with Mosta.
Qormi’s plight is even more difficult as they are anchored at the bottom and are forced to play for a win against the Greens if they are to keep their already slender hopes of avoiding relegation alive.
The Greens remained in their unusual 9th place after their lacklustre performance in the 0-0 draw against Birkirkara.
The programme gets underway this evening with the TarxienSliema encounter.
Of interest will be the debut of Sliema coach Stefano Maccoppi who was named as the club’s new coach earlier this week. He is taking the place of John Buttigieg who was dismissed after the club’s recent disappointments which saw them dropping to 7th place.
At the moment, Tarxien might not be particularly interested in the proceedings. They are in a safe mid-table position on 19 points and certainly with no pressure with regards to relegation.
But it is obvious that they would welcome any point or points from this encounter to consolidate their placing, far away from the relegation zone.
Today Football
Bank of Valletta Premier League 7pm Tarxien R.-Sliema W.
Bank of Valletta first division 7pm San Gwann-Qrendi
Bank of Valletta first division 7pm Sirens-Zejtun C. Bank of Valletta second division 6pm Fgura-Siggiewi
8.15pm Marsaxlokk-Zabbar SP.
Futsal
Corradino Sports Pavilion 8.15pm Luxol St Andrews-Valletta FC.
8.45pm UM Academy-Swieqi U.
Tomorrow Football
Bank of Valletta Premier League 2pm St Andrews-Hibernians 4.15pm Floriana-Qormi
Bank of Valletta Premier League 2pm Valletta-Senglea Ath. 4pm Hamrun S.-Mosta
Bank of Valletta first division 2pm Gudja U.-Swieqi U. 4.15pm Pembroke-Marsa
Bank of Valletta second division 2pm Kalkara-St Venera L. 4.15pm Rabat Ajax-Mgarr U.
Bank of Valletta third division 2pm Mdina K.-Zurrieq FC 4.15pm Gharghur-Dingli S.
Sunday Football
Bank of Valletta Premier League 2pm Pieta H.-Balzan
4pm Gzira U.-Birkirkara
Bank of Valletta first division 1pm Naxxar L.-Sta. Lucia 3.15pm Mqabba-Lija Ath. 5.30pm Zebbug R.-Vittoriosa S.
Bank of Valletta second division 2pm St George’s-Luqa SA 4.15pm Mellieha SC-B’Buga SP.
Bank of Valletta third division 2pm Msida SHJ-Attard 4.15pm Ghaxaq-Xghajra T.
Bank of Valletta third division 2pm Ta’ Xbiex-Marsaskala 4.15pm Mtarfa-Kirkop
Women’s Under 19 league 9am Zebbug R.-Mosta 11am Hibernians-Mgarr U. 1pm Kirkop-Birkirkara
Women’s Under 19 league 11am Gozo FC-Swieqi U.