Sliema, Tarxien chase precious points

Sliema Wanderers and Tarxien Rainbows will be all out for the three points at the Hibernians Stadium on Sunday as the two teams chase a place in the Championship Pool.

The Wanderers are currently fifth on twenty points, two ahead of seventh-placed Tarxien, and are eager to return to winning ways after losing to Floriana in their last outing.

To make matters worse for the Blues, Sliema coach Alfonso Greco has to deal with the absence of Henry Bonello, Andrew Decesare and Mark Scerri as they are suspended.

The Rainbows lost just one game out of the last six, holding Valletta in a 1-1 draw last week. A win would them in fifth place, one ahead of Sliema, while a draw would put them on level points with sixth-placed Balzan. Tarxien coach Clive Mizzi, who started the season at Sliema, could not count on the injured Carlo Mamo and the suspended Luiz Romulo de Castro.

In the first round, Sliema defeated Tarxien 3-2.

Meanwhile in the second match, Hamrun Spartans and Floriana also target precious points which would enable them to climb out of the danger zone as they are currently joint-ninth on 13 points.

Hamrun suffered three consecutive defeats losing to Sliema, Hibernians and Balzan. Against Balzan, they allowed them to recover a two-goal deficit and win 3-2. Floriana, on the other hand, registered their first win after a winless streak of six matches, defeating Sliema 2-0.

Tyrone Farrugia and Carl Tremarco are ruled out for the Greens. Gianluca Calabretta is suspended for the Spartans.

The first round clash ended in a 1-1 draw.