After earning just a point from the clash with Tarxien Rainbows, Balzan face another difficult test as they take on Floriana in one of the two BOV Premier League matches in programme at the Hibernians Stadium on Saturday.

Balzan needed a goal deep into stoppage time to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw on Tuesday and know that to keep the pace with the top two teams, they need to get back to winning ways. They are unbeaten in ten matches, only dropping points in two draws with Pembroke and Tarxien.

Floriana are on a high after beating Birkirkara 1-0 on Wednesday to join the Stripes in fourth place and another win on Saturday would put them on level points with Oliver Spiteri’s side.

Steve Bonnici and Clyde Borg are in doubt for Floriana as they are recovering from injuries. Balzan, on the other hand, could not count on the injured Ryan Fenech and Alan da Silva and the suspended Samir Arab.

Floriana beat Balzan 2-0 in the first round but the second round clash ended in a 1-0 win for Balzan.

Meanwhile in the first match, Birkirkara hope to return to victory as they face Tarxien Rainbows.

The Stripes lost three out of the last five matches and are currently nine points behind leaders Valletta. Tarxien, on the other hand, lost just one of the last six matches. They lie in sixth place, four points behind Birkirkara.

Both sides will be unable to field their best formation as Cain Attard and Edison Bilbao Zarate are suspended and Nikola Vukanac and Mauricio Mazzetti injured for Birkirkara while Alex da Paixao Alves serves a one-match ban and Carlos Menendez Hevia and Sergio Prendes are injured for Tarxien.

Following a 2-2 draw in the first round, Birkirkara defeated Tarxien 1-0 in the second.