Floriana, Tarxien aim to keep the pace with Valletta

Floriana and Tarxien Rainbows will be aiming at keeping the pace with leaders Valletta as they take on Hibernians and Marsaxlokk respectively in the two BOV Premier League matches in programme at the Hibernians Stadium on Saturday.

In the first match, Tarxien Rainbows will be hoping to extend their positive run to five matches with a win over Marsaxlokk. After beating Sliema, Floriana and Hibernians, the Rainbows were held in a goalless draw by Birkirkara in their last outing but a win over Marsaxlokk would enable them to make sure to stay in second place.

Marsaxlokk, on the other hand, are eager to return to winning ways after collecting just one point from the last two matches, being held in a draw by Vittoriosa and losing to Qormi last week.

Tarxien will be unable to field their best formation due to the absence of Justin Grioli but Sergio Pacheco De Oliveira could be back after missing the last match.

In the first round, Tarxien and Marsaxlokk shared the spoils in a goalless draw.

In the second match, Floriana target the three points as they face a Hibernians side desperate for points. The Paolites are second from bottom with just seven points from nine matches. But ironically, they claimed their only win in a 3-1 victory over the Greens in the first round. Since then they went eight matches without a win.

Floriana, on the other hand, managed to hold Valletta in a goalless draw last week and cannot afford any loss of points in their bid to stay second.

Christian Caruana and Joseph Borg are ruled out for the Paolites as they serve a one-match ban.

Photo: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com