Citizens set to extend lead

Leaders Valletta could move six points clear on top the BOV Premier League table should they beat Mosta in one of the two matches in programme at the National Stadium.

The Citizens won eight of the last nine matches and lie three points of Hibernians. They scored twelve goals in the last three matches, conceding just two. Last week, Valletta defeated Qormi 4-1.

Mosta, on the other hand, collected five points from the last three matches in draws with Marsaxlokk and Birkirkara and a win over Balzan Youths to join Tarxien Rainbows on the 10-point mark.

Both coaches will be unable to field their best formation due to the absence of a number of players. Steve D’Amato could not count on the suspended Bryan Agius and Ian Zammit while Luca Martinelli and Gilbert Martin are ruled out injured. For Valletta, Steve Borg is suspended while Michael Mifsud is still recovering from an injury.

In the first round, Valletta registered a 3-0 win.

Meanwhile in the first match, Tarxien Rainbows will be hoping to bring their negative run to an end as they take on Qormi.

The Rainbows lie at the bottom of the table and are coming from four consecutive defeats to Sliema, Valletta, Floriana and Hamrun.

Qormi, on the other hand, are currently fifth on 20 points, together with Sliema Wanderers and Balzan Youths and therefore a win is a must in order to keep the pace with the teams on top in a bid to secure a top-six finish. They lost three out of the last four matches.

Roderick Sammut and Abubakar Bello-Osagie should be back for Stephen Azzopardi’s side but captain Joseph Farrugia is yet to recover fully. Tarxien defender Carl Sammut is suspended while Stefan Giglio and Daniel Mariano Bueno are injured.

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

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