Valletta target derby win

Champions Valletta will be all out for the three points on Sunday as they take on eternal rivals Floriana in the derby in one of the two BOV Premier League matches in programme.

The Citizens are currently second, four points behind leaders Hibernians and two ahead of the Greens.

Valletta dropped just three points in seven matches – a defeat to Hibernians – and are coming from a 2-1 win over Birkirkara.

Floriana won three of the last four matches and are coming from a 3-1 win over Balzan Youths. Should they defeat Valletta, they would leapfrog the Citizens and move second.

Gilbert Agius returns for Valletta after serving a two-match ban. However Ryan Fenech is still suspended. Floriana, on the other hand, should be in full strength.

Meanwhile in the first match, Tarxien Rainbows take on Balzan Youths in a clash between two teams from the bottom part of the table. The Rainbows share the wooden spoon with Mosta on four points while Balzan are tenth on five.

Five defeats out of the first seven matches are a negative record for Tarxien considering their performances in the last couple of years in the top division. In their last two outings, the Rainbows lost 0-2 to Hibernians and 2-4 to Marsaxlokk.

Balzan, on the other hand, obtained points in two draws with Mosta and Sliema, besides the protest win over Hamrun. On Monday, they lost 1-3 to Floriana.

Both sides will be unable to field their best formation due to the suspension of Daniel Mariano Bueno for Tarxien and Clifton Ciantar for Balzan. However Pedro dos Santos Calcado will be back for the Youths after serving a two-match ban.

Photo: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com