Leaders Balzan take on Valletta

Leaders Balzan take on Valletta in this weekend’s big match in one of the four BOV Premier League matches in programme on Friday.

Hibernians could take advantage from the result considering that they face bottom-placed Pembroke Athleta. Hamrun Spartans cross swords with St. Andrews while Mosta face Gzira United.

Hamrun Spartans vs St. Andrews, kick-off 18:00 at Hibernians Stadium
St. Andrews will be aiming for a fourth consecutive positive result following draws with Birkirkara and Floriana and a win over Tarxien in their last outing. Positive results which put them on level points with Hamrun who lost four out of the last five matches. The Spartans are in fact coming from back-to-back defeats to Gzira and Birirkara in their last two games.

Godwin Mckay will be back for St. Andrews after serving a one-match ban.

Hamrun defeated St. Andrews 3-1 in the first round but in the second round, the Saints beat the Spartans with an identical score.

Pembroke Athleta vs Hibernians, kick-off 20:00 at Hibernians Stadium
Hibernians target a fifth win from the last six matches as they take on Pembroke Athleta who suffered defeats to Floriana, Balzan and Pembroke in their last three outings. Last week, Hibs defeated Mosta 4-0 while Pembroke lost 0-4 to Valletta. A win for the Paolites would put them on top should Balzan fail to beat Valletta.

Pembroke could not count on the suspended Matthew Calleja Cremona.

Hibs registered a 2-1 win in the first round but the second round clash ended in a 1-1 draw.

Mosta vs Gzira United, kick-off 18:00 at National Stadium
Gzira will be hoping to bounce back, following a narrow defeat to Sliema last week, with a win over Mosta who suffered heavy defeats to Floriana, Mosta, Valletta and Hibernians apart from another heavy defeat to Pembroke – a defeat which was overturned by the MFA Protests Board.

Clifford Gatt Baldacchino is ruled out for Gzira due to suspension.

Mosta beat Gzira 2-1 in the first round but in the second round, the Maroons registered a comfortable 3-0 win.

Balzan vs Valletta, kick-off 20:00 at National Stadium
Leaders Balzan cannot afford any result other than a win as they take on Valletta in order to retain the top spot. They won four out of the last five matches, defeating Floriana 2-0 last week. The Citizens, who lie four points behind Balzan and three behind Hibernians, are unbeaten in eight matches and are coming from four consecutive wins. For Valletta, a win would enable them to bridge the gap with Balzan while a draw would leave them, possibly five points behind Hibernians should the Paolites beat Pembroke.

Valletta welcome back Leandro Aguirre after serving a one-match ban but Rowen Muscat is ruled out injured. Clive Brincat should be back for Balzan after missing the last game.

The two teams met three times this season. Balzan defeated Valletta 1-0 in the FA Trophy fourth round but the two clashes from the BOV Premier League ending in two 2-2 draws.