Qormi, Hamrun seek precious points

Qormi and Hamrun Spartans will both aim at collecting precious points on Saturday in their bid to secure a place in the Championship Pool as they take on Birkirkara and Valletta respectively.

Lying in seventh place on 17 points, Qormi cannot afford any result other than a win in order to make it to the top six. Buoyed with the signing of Michael Mifsud, Stephen Azzopardi’s side will be all out for the three points which would them in sixth place on 20 points, three behind Marsaxlokk and one ahead of Hamrun. They returned to winning ways last Saturday as they defeated Hibernians 1-0.

Birkirkara are sure of playing in the Championship Pool and will be aiming for the three points in order to move into second place. They are currently fourth on 26 points, two behind Tarxien and one behind Floriana. After losing to Valletta and Marsaxlokk, the Stripes bounced back with wins over Hamrun and Vittoriosa.

Joseph Zerafa is ruled out through suspension while Ibrahim Babatunde will be only available if the international clearance arrives in time. For Qormi, Matthew Bartolo and Cleavon Frendo will be back after serving a one-match ban.

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

Meanwhile in the second match, Hamrun Spartans will be hoping to end their negative run with a positive result against leaders Valletta.

The Spartans are still sixth despite suffering four consecutive defeats but cannot afford another defeat especially if Qormi defeat Birkirkara.

Valletta, on the other hand, will hope to continue extending the lead on top the BOV Premier League table while extending their unbeaten record to seventeen matches without defeat. They lead the way with forty points, twelve ahead of second-placed Tarxien.

Brazilian Anderson Antunes Andrade is set to make his debut for Valletta while Hamrun should have Bulgarian midfielder Nikolai Chipev making his first appearance. Hamrun’s Lee James Agius is suspended.

In the first round, Valletta defeated Hamrun 2-0.

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