Valletta aim at returning to winning ways

Leaders Valletta will be hoping to return to winning ways on Sunday as they take on Marsaxlokk in one of the two Championship Pool matches in programme at the National Stadium.

The Citizens dropped two points in a 1-1 draw with Hamrun Spartans last week although they still enjoy a comfortable six-point lead on top the BOV Premier League table.

Marsaxlokk registered a fine 4-0 win over Floriana in the first game of the Championship Pool and now lie just two points behind second-placed Floriana and Birkirkara. Against the Citizens, they hope to collect another positive result in their bid to climb further up the table.

Denni and Malcolm Licari will be back for Valletta and Marsaxlokk respectively but for the Citizens, Jamie Pace is still recovering from an injury.

Valletta defeated Marsaxlokk 2-0 in the first round but the second round clash ended in a goalless draw.

Meanwhile in the first match, Hamrun Spartans take on Birkirkara.

Thanks to a 3-1 win over Tarxien, the Stripes moved second and now seem one of the main challengers for Valletta. A win over the Spartans is a must for Paul Zammit’s side in order to maintain the pace with the Citizens.

However their task is no easy one considering that Hamrun did quite well in their last outing as they earned a point from the game against Valletta. The Spartans are still last in the Championship Pool and therefore eye a positive result from this game.

Gaetan Spiteri returns for the Spartans after missing the last game through suspension. Shaun Bajada is ruled out for the Stripes as he serves a one-match ban.

Following a 1-1 draw in the first round, Birkirkara defeated Hamrun 2-0 in the second.

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