Citizens set to be declared champions

Valletta will be aiming for the point they need to be declared champions for the twentieth time in the history of the club as they take on Marsaxlokk on Sunday.

With a most comfortable 5-0 win over Hamrun Spartans last week, the Citizens extended their unbeaten run to 29 matches, considering the last five matches from last season and the seventeen wins and seven draws obtained this year.

Marsaxlokk held Valletta in two draws in the last two games between the two teams – 0-0 and 1-1 – following a 2-0 win for the Citizens in the first round. Lying four points behind second-placed Floriana, the Southseasiders cannot afford leaving Ta’ Qali empty-handed on Sunday in their bid to secure the runner-up position at the end of the season.

Both sides are expected to be in full strength with no players injured or suspended.

Meanwhile in the first game, Birkirkara will be hoping to maintain the challenge for a place in the UEFA Europa League this summer by beating Hamrun Spartans.

The Stripes lie three points behind Floriana, however with a game in hand. They are coming from a 3-1 win over Tarxien last week.

The Spartans suffered four consecutive defeats, collecting their only points in the Championship Pool in draws with Valletta and Birkirkara. Therefore they will be aiming at another positive result against the Stripes, also considering that they had earned another point in a draw in the first round.

Birkirkara defender Andrei Agius and Hamrun midfielder Dyson Falzon will be back after serving a one-match ban but Spartans coach Steve D’Amato will be unable to field his best formation due to the absence of
Martin Hrubsa, Jovan Vukanic, Lee James Agius and Dene Shields.

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