Valletta will be aiming for another three important points on Friday as they take on Hibernians in one of the three BOV Premier League matches in programme at two different venues.
Lying seven points behind leaders Birkirkara, the Citizens cannot afford any result other than a win to maintain hopes of winning the twentieth title in the history of the club. Their morale is high following last Tuesday’s 3-1 win in the National League 100 Anniversary Cup final over rivals Floriana. On Saturday, they defeated Tarxien 3-0.
The Paolites are coming from a most disappointing run of five successive defeats and are anchored at the bottom of the Championship Pool together with rivals Tarxien Rainbows. They are coming from a 0-3 defeat to Qormi on Sunday. Having no particular objectives, they will only aim at giving the Citizens a hard time.
Hibernians defeated Valletta twice – 2-0 in the Euro Cup and 1-0 in the BOV Premier League first round. Valletta registered a 4-2 win in the second round and 2-1 in the third round besides eliminating the Paolites from the National League 100 Anniversary Cup, beating them 2-0.
Jamie Pace and Edmond Agius are ruled out for the Citizens as they serve a one-match ban.
Meanwhile earlier at the National Stadium, Msida St. Joseph take on Floriana. The Greens condemned the Saints to Division 1 last week after winning the points they needed to secure their Premier League status by beating Hamrun 1-0. Msida, on the other hand, lost 2-5 to Dingli on Sunday.
Floriana, who lost 1-3 to Valletta in the National League 100 Anniversary Cup final on Tuesday despite a good performance, have already defeated Msida three times this season – 2-1 in the first round, 4-2 in the second and 2-1 in the third round.
Four players are ruled out through suspension – Floriana’s Stefan Lijeskic and Stefano Grima and Msida’s Adrian Farrugia and Kurt Grech.
At the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hamrun Spartans host Dingli Swallows.
The Spartans suffered their first defeat in the Relegation Pool as they lost 0-1 to Floriana. Dingli, on the other hand, brought their negative run to an end as they defeated Msida 5-2.
Hamrun beat Dingli three times in the previous rounds – 3-0, 3-1 and 6-0.
Gaetan Spiteri and Ian Zammit are both suspended for Hamrun.
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