Floriana in desperate need of a win

Floriana will be all out to claim the three points in order to maintain hopes of securing a place in the Championship Pool as they take on Sliema Wanderers in one of the two matches in programme at the Hibernians Stadium on Sunday.

In fact, Tarxien’s 1-0 win over Hibernians in the derby means that the Rainbows have now moved five points clear of the Greens. Therefore Floriana have to beat Sliema and then Msida in the last match, hoping Tarxien will fail to get any points from their last game against Hamrun, in order to secure a top-six finish. Hamrun, Msida and Dingli are already sure of playing in the Relegation Pool.

Following the appointment of Zoran Popovic as new coach, the Greens showed considerable improvement and have now collected five points out of the last four matches. They are coming from a 1-1 draw with Hibernians in their last outing.

The Greens’ task will be no easy one as the Wanderers are determined to collect another three points in order to move fourth, two points ahead of Hibernians. Sliema defeated Dingli 3-1 and Birkirkara 1-0 in their last two outings.

The Blues should be in full strength but Floriana will be lacking Owen Bugeja, Luke Agius and Marlon Briffa, besides Sunday Eboh and Christian Cassar – all injured.

In the first round, Floriana and Sliema shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Meanwhile in the first match, Birkirkara will hope to return to winning ways as they take on Msida St. Joseph.

In fact, the Stripes are coming from a most disappointing defeat to Sliema Wanderers in their last outing. They are currently third on 33 points, two behind Qormi and four behind leaders Valletta. Therefore with a win, Birkirkara would move back one point behind the leaders.

Msida, on the other hand, defeated Dingli 2-1 in their last outing. They welcome back Adam Spiteri and Kevin Mifsud who missed the last game against Dingli but Lydon Micallef is ruled out through suspension.

For Birkirkara, Joseph Zerafa, George Mallia and Angus Buhagiar are still recovering from injuries but Shaun Bajada should be back after serving a one-match ban.

In the first round, Birkirkara registered a 4-1 win.