Floriana target second place as take on Old Firm rivals Sliema

BOV-Premier-LeagueAfter dropping eight points in the last four matches, Floriana will be all out to return to winning ways as they take on Sliema Wanderers in the Old Firm derby in one of the two BOV Premier League matches in programme at the National Stadium on Saturday.

The Greens won their first two matches but then suffered back-to-back defeats to Balzan and Tarxien and although they defeated Valletta, they were held in a 1-1 draw by Hamrun Spartans. A win over Sliema would put them in second place on level points with Birkirkara and Hibernians, six points behind leaders Balzan.

The Wanderers, on the other hand, are joint-second from bottom on six points after defeating Tarxien Rainbows 2-1 last week. A win would enable them to join Gzira in seventh place, one point behind Floriana.

Giuseppe Sarao, Stefano Bianciardi and Roger de Souza are ruled out injured but coach John Buttigieg could rely on new signings Tiago Bruno Goncalves and Denni Rocha dos Santos. Floriana coach Giovanni Tedesco will be unable to lead the team from the bench after being slapped with a four-match ban.

Meanwhile in the first match, Pembroke Athleta will be looking forward to continue where they had left in the game against Birkirkara by collecting another three points from the clash with Tarxien Rainbows.

Pembroke collected their first three points in a 2-1 win over Birkirkara after losing their first five matches. Tarxien, on the other hand, lost three out of the last five matches, losing 1-2 to Sliema Wanderers on Monday.

Ayrton Azzopardi and Julian Galea are ruled out for Tarxien due to injuries.