Vital points at stake as Tarxien face leaders Balzan

Leaders Balzan will be all out to claim the three points on Saturday as they take on a Tarxien Rainbows side embroiled in the battle against relegation at the Hibernians Stadium in one of the four BOV Premier League matches in programme.

Gzira United face Naxxar Lions in another clash between teams desperate for points for different objectives. St. Andrews cannot afford to drop any points in the clash against Lija Athletic while Birkirkara and Hibernians cross swords in a clash between two teams hoping to make it to the UEFA Europa League this summer.

Naxxar Lions vs Gzira United, kick-off 16:00 at Hibernians Stadium
Lying second from bottom on 16 points, Naxxar cannot afford to leave the Hibs Stadium empty-handed as they take on third-placed Gzira who chase a historic place in the UEFA Europa League this summer. Naxxar lost four out of the last six matches, collecting the points in two draws. Gzira, on the other hand, are unbeaten in six matches and are coming from back to back wins over Mosta and Senglea.

In the first round, the Maroons registered a 3-1 win.

Tarxien Rainbows vs Balzan, kick-off 18:00 at Hibernians Stadium
Leaders Balzan cannot afford to drop any points in the clash with Tarxien. Lying just one point ahead of second-placed Valletta, they have to win all their remaining matches to make sure of clinching the BOV Premier League title in the history of the club. They are unbeaten in twenty-one matches, winning the last two games against Birkirkara and Mosta.

The Rainbows, on the other hand, are currently fourth from bottom and a positive result would be a bonus in their bid to avoid relegation although they risk falling in the play-off spot should they fail to win and St. Andrews beat Lija.

In the first round, Balzan defeated Tarxien 1-0.

Lija Athletic vs St. Andrews, kick-off 16:00 at National Stadium
A win for St. Andrews in the clash with relegated side Lija Athletic would ensure they move fourth from bottom should Tarxien fail to beat Balzan. They are currently twelfth on 17 points, one behind Tarxien and one ahead of Naxxar. They lost three out of the last four matches. Lija, on the other hand, will be hoping to end their losing streak after losing the last twelve matches.

In the first round, Lija held St. Andrews in a 1-1 draw.

Birkirkara vs Hibernians, kick-off 18:00 at National Stadium
Birkirkara target maximum points from the clash with Hibernians in their bid to maintain the challenge for a place in the UEFA Europa League as they lie fourth, one point behind Gzira United. A defeat to Balzan brought their unbeaten run to an end but a 3-1 win over Tarxien put the Stripes back on track. The Paolites currently share sixth place with Sliema, five points behind Birkirkara. After suffering defeats to Sliema and Valletta, they bounced back with a 7-0 win over Lija in their last outing.

In the first round, Hibs defeated Birkirkara 1-0.