Leaders Valletta take on depleted Wanderers

Leaders Valletta start as favourites to extend their positive run to fifteen matches with an eight consecutive wins as they take on a depleted Sliema Wanderers side in one of the four BOV Premier League matches in programme at the National Stadium and Victor Tedesco Stadium.

In the other matches, Hibernians face Naxxar Lions, Qormi meet Mosta while St. Andrews and Pembroke Athleta cross swords in the derby.

Naxxar Lions vs Hibernians, kick-off 14:00 at National Stadium
Hibernians target and eighth win in ten matches as they take on a Naxxar Lions side coming from three consecutive defeats, losing eleven out of the last thirteen matches. During the week, Hibs were held in a 1-1 draw by Sliema and therefore a win is of utmost importance in order to keep the pace with leaders Valletta. Naxxar, on the other hand, lost 0-4 to Valletta.

Ennio Hamutenya is ruled out for Naxxar as he serves a one-match ban. For Hibs, Rui da Gracia Gomes and Jorge Santos Silva are ruled out injured.

Hibs defeated Naxxar 4-1 and 7-0 in the first two rounds.

Sliema Wanderers vs Valletta, kick-off 16:00 at National Stadium
Sliema Wanderers could not count on the suspended Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Mandinho, Gary Muir and Denni as they take on a Valletta side seeking its eighth consecutive win. The Blues held Floriana and Hibs in draws in their last two matches and target another positive result as they are still seventh.

The Citizens, who are coming from a 4-0 win over Naxxar, could be in full strength with the return of Ian Azzopardi and Romeu ROmao.

In the first two rounds, Valletta defeated Sliema 1-0 and 4-2.

St. Andrews vs Pembroke Athleta, kick-off 14:00 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
St. Andrews and Pembroke Athleta will be all out to gain maximum points from the derby. After beating Qormi 3-1 during the week, Pembroke know that another win on Sunday could possibly put them in seventh place. St. Andrews, on the other hand, hope to return to winning ways after two defeats to Valletta and Hibs and a draw with Mosta. A win would put them on level points with Naxxar, leaving Qormi at the bottom of the table should they fail to beat Mosta in the other match.

Miguel Attard is ruled out through suspension for Pembroke.

In the first round, Pembroke beat St. Andrews 4-3 while the second round clash ended in a much more comfortable 4-0 win for Winston Muscat’s side.

Qormi vs Mosta, kick-off 16:15 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
Mosta will be seeking a hat-trick of wins over Qormi this season after beating them 1-0 and 3-1 in the first two rounds. A win which could put them in seventh place after disappointing in their last outing against St. Andrews where they only managed to earn a point in a draw. Qormi, on the other hand, are desperate for points after suffering ten consecutive defeats.

For Mosta, Tyrone Farrugia is suspended while Qormi should be in full strength.