Valletta take on in form Senglea

Joint-leaders Valletta cannot afford any result other than a win as they take on in form Senglea Athletic in one of the four matches in programme on Saturday.

Hibernians face St. Andrews, Hamrun Spartans take on Mosta and Floriana meet Qormi in the other three matches.

In the first match at the Centenary Stadium, kick-off at 14:00, St. Andrews take on Hibernians. Narrow wins over Floriana and Gzira in their last two outings ensured the Paolites stay on top the BOV Premier League table. The Saints, on the other hand, earned just two points from the last five matches, including last week’s 1-1 draw with Sliema. They are currently joint-ninth with Floriana on eighteen points.

Kurt Magro of St. Andrews and Isaac Ntow of Hibernians are ruled out through suspension.

In the first round, Hibernians registered a 2-0 win.

In the second match at the Centenary Stadium, kick-off at 16:15, Floriana chase the three points from the clash with bottom-placed Qormi.

The Greens share the ninth place with St. Andrews and are desperate for points in order to climb out of the danger zone. They failed to win any of their last four matches, earning three points in draws. Qormi, on the other hand, lost narrowly to Valletta after returning to winning ways the previous week with a win over Pietà Hotspurs.

Floriana defeated Qormi 3-1 in the first round.

Meanwhile in the first match at the Hibernians Stadium, kick-off at 14:00, Valletta take on Senglea.

The Citizens claimed maximum points from the last four matches but Senglea obtained a similar feat, defeating Qormi, Mosta, Balzan and Pietà to move six points clear of the Hotspurs and nine of Qormi.

For Valletta, Rowen Muscat serves a one-match ban. Senglea’s Arian Mrsulja is also ruled out through suspension.

In the first round, Valletta defeated Senglea 5-1.

Meanwhile in the second match at the Hibernians Stadium, kick-off at 16:00, Hamrun Spartans face Mosta.

The Spartans are unbeaten in ten matches and another win on Saturday would put them, at least temporarily, in third place. Mosta, on the other hand, are joint-third from bottom, collecting four precious points from the last two outings in a win over Tarxien and a draw with Balzan.

Hamrun could not count on the suspended Kevin Tulimieri.

The first round clash between Mosta and Hamrun had ended in a goalless draw.