Leaders Floriana face second placed Sirens in weekend’s top clash
● Hibs v. Hamrun is another top match ● B’Kara, Gzira aim to continue on the winning trail ● Good opportunities for Valletta, Balzan to move up the standings
The Bank of Valletta Premier League resumes after the international stoppage with the seven matches of the 7th round spread over four days – between today and Monday.
At present Floriana lead the standings with 14 points, one ahead of surprise package Sirens. Hamrun are third on 11, while Gzira and Hibernians are next on 10 points each. Sta Lucia follow on 9, Valletta and Senglea 8 each, Mosta and Balzan 7, Birkirkara 6, Sliema 5, Gudja 4 and Tarxien prop up the table with no points.
The most important clashes are those involving four of the top five teams, that is, Sirens-Floriana and Hibernians-Hamrun.
But even the other matches have their importance.
TOP CLASHES
The main match is being played tomorrow.
Floriana will be aiming to retain their top placing by beating the newcomers from St Paul’s Bay.
The Greens have shown they intend to challenge seriously for the honours this season. It is years since the Greens have had such an excellent start to a season.
But they cannot take things for granted as Sirens could be tough opponents, as Hibernians and Sliema have already experienced.
Sirens can be considered as the surprise package so far. I never expected the St Paul’s Bay outfit to do so well in their Premier League debut season.
They are certainly full of enthusiasm considering that out of the first 6 matches, they have won four, drew 1 and lost the other.
The match is the first on the programme tomorrow at the National Stadium.
The other top clash between Hibernians and Hamrun is being played on Monday evening.
The two teams are coming from defeats. The Paolites went down 1-0 against Birkirkara, while the Spartans lost against Mosta.
I expect both sides to go all out to return to winning form to remain close to the leading duo.
Both teams need to show improvement as they disappointed their followers in their last encounters.
Another interesting clash is on the card this afternoon at Ta’ Qali National Stadium where 4th placed Gzira United face the improving Birkirkara who are still occupying a lowly 11th placing.
The Maroons scored a second consecutive win when beating none other than champions Valletta 1-3. Moreover, the Maroons are still unbeaten after 6 matches and it is obvious they will be looking forward with optimism to maintain their positive trend.
On their part Birkirkara keep showing improvement after suffering defeats against Floriana and Senglea in their opening matches.
Now they have collected 6 points from three consecutive draws and a win, which had eluded them in their opening five matches.
The Stripes will also be looking forward to carry their current good form into this round, by beating Gzira to move further up the standings.
OTHER MATCHES
In the other matches, all the teams will also be seeking precious points to improve their position in the standings.
The first match today between Mosta and Sta Lucia should be a very balanced encounter.
Mosta are coming from a brilliant 2-0 win against Hamrun Spartans, while Santa Lucia seek to return to winning form after being held to a goalless draw by Senglea.
Also today, the Senglea-Sliema clash promises to be a keen and balanced encounter.
Sliema, in particular, will be aiming to win the three points to move away from the relegation zone.
In their last match, they were surprised by Sirens. Now they face 8th placed Senglea who have already collected 8 points from their opening six games.
Senglea are not to be taken lightly. On their day, they can be very tough opponents and this should not be an exception against Sliema.
On Sunday Valletta should be able to return to winning form when they face 13th placed Gudja.
The champions need to find their best form quickly and return to winning form if they are to maintain the pace with the top clubs.
At present, they are already six points behind Floriana, but this match presents a chance for them to get back on track.
Gudja will not be throwing in the towel so easily. They have lost only two of the six matches played so far, but they are still searching for their first win.
Tarxien are also still searching not only for their first win, but also for their first point of the season.
And against Balzan on Sunday, this once again seems to be difficult as Balzan have shown improvement in recent matches culminating in the 1-0 win over Gudja even if they were made to suffer in the last moments before claiming all the three points in a 1-0 win.
Full programme
Today Bank of Valletta Premier League
Centenary 6pm Mosta-Santa Stadium Lucia 8.15pm Senglea Ath-Sliema W.
Bank of Valletta first division Luxol Stadium 7pm St Andrews-Pieta H.
Victor Tedesco Stadium
6pm Qrendi-Naxxar L.
8.15pm Pembroke Ath-Swieqi U. Tomorrow
Bank of Valletta Premier League
Centenary Stadium
3pm Sirens-Floriana 5.15pm Birkirkara-Gzira
Bank of Valletta first division Victor Tedesco Stadium
3pm Mqabba-Zejtun C.
5.15pm Qormi-Zebbug R.
Bank of Valletta second division
Luxol Stadium
3pm San Gwann-Melita
5.15pm Marsaxlokk-Mellieha
Bank of Valletta third division Sirens Stadium
3pm Kirkop-Ta’ Xbiex
5.15pm Marsaskala-Mtarfa Women’s U-15 league
Dingli Ground
1pm Mosta-Zebbug
1pm Swieqi-Kirkop
2.30pm Senglea Ath.-Mgarr U. 2.30pm Raiders-Mtarfa Sunday
Bank of Valletta Premier League
Centenary Stadium
3pm Gudja U.-Valletta 5.15pm Tarxien R.-Balzan
Bank of Valletta first division Victor Tedesco Stadium
3pm Lija Ath,.-Fgura U.
5.15pm Vittoriosa S.-St George’s
Bank of Valletta third division Luxol Stadium
3pm Attard-Sta Venera L. 5.15pm Ghaxaq-Dingli S.
Sirens Stadium
3pm Gharghur-Msida SJ 5.15pm Siggiewi-Mdina K. IASC first division
Sta Lucia Ground
8.30am B’Buga T.-Hamrun L. 9.45am Marsa T.-Senglea Y. 11am Burmarrad-Mosta G. Women’s U-19 league
Kirkop Ground
9am Mtarfa-Birkirkara 11am Raiders-Mosta
Marsaskala Ground
9am Swieqi-Hibernians 11am Mgarr U.-Kirkop Monday Bank of Valletta Premier League
Centenary Stadium
7pm Hibernians-Hamrun S.
Bank of Valletta second division
Victor Tedesco Stadium
6pm Marsa-Zurrieq
8.15pm Luqa SA-Kalkara
Basketball
Tomorrow Ta’ Qali pavilion Women 9.15am Under Depiro-Shamrock 16 Stars 11am Siggiewi-Starlites Mazars
Men U-16
12.45pm Hibernians-Starlites
Mazars
2.30pm Siggiewi-Luxol 4.15pm Depiro-Athleta Sunday Ta’ Qali pavilion Women U-16
9.15am Hibernians-Luxol
Men MBA Shield
11am Depiro-Hibernians 4.15pm Starlites-Luxol
Women’s MBA Shield
12.45pm ARMS Depiro-Starlites GiG
2.30pm Luxol-Hibernians