Balzan target seventh consecutive win

Leaders Balzan will be aiming for a seventh consecutive win on Saturday as they take on Naxxar Lions in one of the four BOV Premier League matches in programme at the Victor Tedesco Stadium and the Hibernians Stadium.

Valletta and Hamrun Spartans are favourites to return to winning ways as they take on Mosta and Tarxien Rainbows respectively while Senglea Athletic face Sliema Wanderers in the other match.

Senglea Athletic vs Sliema Wanderers, kick-off 14:00 at Hibernians Stadium
After earning their first win since the appointment of Paolo Favaretto as their new coach – a 2-1 win over Naxxar Lions, Senglea Athletic eye another positive result as they take on Sliema Wanderers who are coming from a 1-1 draw with Mosta. The Wanderers are currently sixth on 24 points and need maximum points to keep the pace with the teams on top. Senglea, on the other hand, aim at keeping the distance from the bottom teams.

Augusto Rene Caseres is ruled out for Senglea as he serves a one-match ban.

In the first round, Senglea held Sliema in a 2-2 draw.

Mosta vs Valletta, kick-off 16:00 at Hibernians Stadium
After losing 1-2 to Gzira last week, Valletta will be all out to bounce back with a win over Mosta who are coming from a 1-1 draw with Sliema. The defeat cost the Citizens the top spot and now lie in joint-second place with Gzira, three points behind leaders Balzan. Mosta, on the other hand, are currently ninth on the 15-point mark and another positive result would enable them to move to a more comfortable mid-table position.

Valletta could not count on the suspended Steve Borg while Daniele Biondo and Edison Bilbao Zarate are ruled out for Mosta. However the Blues welcome back Jonas Rodriguez Ekani and Kurt Magro who missed the last game.

In the first round, Valletta beat Mosta 1-0.

Naxxar Lions vs Balzan, kick-off 14:00 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
Balzan will be aiming for a seventh win in a row as they take on Naxxar. Balzan, who defeated Hibernians 1-0 last week, lead the way by three points over Valletta and Gzira and a win over Naxxar would ensure that they maintain a three-point lead before the Christmas break. Naxxar are currently third from bottom and are coming from a 1-2 defeat to Senglea.

Goalkeeper Christoph Nicht should be back for Naxxar after serving a two-match ban.

In the first round, Balzan defeated Naxxar 2-0.

Hamrun Spartans vs Tarxien Rainbows, kick-off 16:15 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
After losing narrowly to Birkirkara last week, Hamrun hope to return to winning ways on Saturday as they take on Tarxien who ended their negative run of five consecutive defeats with a 3-2 win over St. Andrews last week. The Spartans are currently seventh on 20 points while the Rainbows lie fourth from bottom on ten points.

Lydon Micallef returns for the Spartans after serving a one-match ban.

In the first round, Hamrun defeated Tarxien 4-1.