Citizens aim at returning to winning ways

Valletta will be all out for the three points on Friday as they take on Qormi in one of the two BOV Premier League matches in programme at the National Stadium. Three points which would put them on level points with leaders Birkirkara.

Last week, Valletta suffered a 1-2 defeat to Sliema Wanderers and therefore they cannot afford dropping any points from this game, also in view of the fact that next week, they will be facing Birkirkara in a direct clash for the top spot.

Qormi returned to victory last week as they defeated Tarxien Rainbows 2-0 and with Sliema joining them on the 21-point mark, the Yellows need the points in order to maintain the challenge to secure third place.

Michael Mifsud should make his debut for Valletta after joining the club last week. Steve Borg and Njongo Priso will be back after serving a one-match ban. Jonathan Bondin returns for Qormi from suspension. On the other hand, defenders Kenneth Scicluna of Valletta and Roderick Sammut of Qormi are ruled out as they serve a one-match ban.

Valletta defeated Qormi twice this season – 2-0 in the first round and 1-0 in the second.

Meanwhile in the first game, Hibernians take on Sliema Wanderers. Four points separate the two teams with the Blues lying in joint-third place and the Paolites fifth.

Sliema are coming from a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Valletta in their last outing and now target another win from this game in order to maintain the challenge for a place in UEFA competitions. Hibernians, on the other hand, suffered two identical 1-2 defeats to Valletta and Birkirkara in their last two matches. They won just one of the last nine matches.

However an important boost for the Paolites will be the return of a number of players including Adrian Pulis, Andrew Cohen and Miguel Lopes De Pina. On the other hand, Sliema captain Ivan Woods is ruled out through suspension.

The two teams met three times this season. In the Euro Cup, they shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Sliema won 1-0 in the first round while the second round clash ended in a 2-2 draw.

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