Floriana-Sliema ‘Old Firm’ clash is highlight of weekend programme
● Title challengers Valletta and Hibernians face Hamrun and Birkirkara respectively ● Balzan should beat Tarxien to remain close to the top ● St AndrewsLija and Mosta-Senglea in direct relegation clashes
The Bank of Valletta Premier League is continuing this weekend following the international one-week break.
After yesterday’s GziraNaxxar clash, we will have four matches today and another two tomorrow to conclude the 11th round of the competition.
The Floriana-Sliema ‘Old Firm’ clash is undoubtedly the highlight of this programme.
Both are occupying an ‘unusual’ high position in the standings – fourth and fifth. Both have 20 points, but the Greens have a slightly better goal difference.
It has been quite a long time not seeing these two illustrious names in Maltese football, occupying such an exalted position, but this year, it is evident that they are both believing that they can challenge seriously for the title.
As it is, before yesterday’s match they were just three points away from the leaders. Even if they will not be able to continue challenging for the title, however, it is evident that they have enough material to earn a berth in next season’s Europa League, even perhaps via the FA Trophy.
After 10 matches, Giovanni Tedesco’s Floriana are the only unbeaten side in the competition having collected five wins and five draws. On their part, John Buttigieg’s Sliema have registered six wins, two draws and have been beaten twice.
Such a situation makes this match more attractive and I expect both sides to go out for all the three points at stake.
Meanwhile, Valletta will have to wait till tomorrow to get back into action – theirs (against Hamrun) is the final match on the programme.
The citizens have been showing consistent progress in their recent matches and are favourites to beat the Spartans to maintain their top placing.
However, they cannot take things for granted against the Spartans who gave give a good run for their money to any team in the competition.
The Spartans, however, have not shown proper consistency and that has kept them in a mid-table position which they still can improve upon.
Balzan should be able to maintain the pace at the top as they are firm favourites to beat a disappointing Tarxien Rainbows side today.
The Rainbows are occupying 11th place on just 7 points, only one above Naxxar and St Andrews. Champions Hibernians also aim to take all the three points from their clash with a ‘modest’ Birkirkara side.
The Paolites have been somewhat unconvincing at times and even failed to take advantage against a 10-man Valletta side which held them to a goalless draw in their last encounter.
On their part, the Stripes are passing through a very lean period. In their last encounter, against neighbours Balzan, they allowed their rivals to overturn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win in the final moments of the game.
Unless the Stripes get back some of their lost confidence, they will continue to struggle throughout the season. Only a victory against a top club, like Hibernians, will give some needed comfort.
At the other end of the table, the St Andrews-Lija clash is very important for both sides.
A victory for St Andrews will see them lifting themselves onto 9 points, but a victory for Lija will probably enable the Athletic to leave the bottom place, perhaps to the same St Andrews or Naxxar.
Mosta and Senglea face each other in what is labelled as another important match. This is because neither team is in a safe position yet, even though they can be considered occupying a healthy position.
But a defeat for either side and wins for those below them in the standings could see them dragged into the relegation turmoil. them