Floriana, Sliema hope to return to victory

Floriana and Sliema Wanderers will be aiming at returning to winning ways on Sunday as they take on Hamrun Spartans and Marsaxlokk respectively in two matches from the BOV Premier League at the Hibernians Stadium.

The Greens could narrow the gap with second-placed Hibernians to four points should they beat Hamrun in the first game. Floriana were held in a goalless draw by Sliema last week and are therefore eager to bounce back and claim the three points.

Togo international Eric Akoto and Nigerian striker Onome Sodje could be included in the Floriana squad with the Greens welcoming back Christian Caruana who recovered from an injury which ruled him out over the past weeks. Christian Cassar is suspended.

Hamrun are currently ninth, one point behind Mqabba and are coming from a 3-1 win over Tarxien Rainbows in their last outing. A positive result on Sunday would maintain alive hopes of securing a top-six finish. In fact a win would put them just three points behind the three teams currently lying in fifth place.

Lee James Agius and Gaetan Spiteri are still suspended but Massimo Grima will be back after serving a one-match ban.

In the first round, Floriana registered a narrow 1-0 win.

Meanwhile in the second match, Sliema Wanderers will be all out for the three points as they take Marsaxlokk.

The Blues are coming from three consecutive three draws and won just one of the last nine matches. Against Marsaxlokk, they hope to have Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza back in squad.

The Southseasiders are currently second from bottom and lost the last two games against Hibernians and Mqabba. Coach Anton Cremona could not count on captain Carlo Mamo as he is suspended.

In the first round, the two teams shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw.

Photo: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com