Citizens hope to extend lead

Leaders Valletta will be hoping to extend the lead on top the BOV Premier League table as they take on Tarxien Rainbows on Sunday with Birkirkara facing Floriana in the other match.

Valletta lead the way with 30 points, followed by Marsaxlokk on 22, Birkirkara 21, Floriana 20 and Tarxien 18. Therefore with a win over the Rainbows and a draw between Birkirkara and Floriana, the Citizens would move eleven points clear.

The leaders registered a comfortable 3-0 win over Floriana in their last league outing to extend their unbeaten run to 22 matches.

Although they lost the previous clashes with Valletta this season, losing 5-2 and 2-0, the Rainbows will be all out to upset the Citizens as they aim at claiming important points in the battle for a place in European football. In their last league outing, they brought a negative run consisting of three defeats to an end with a 4-1 win over Hamrun Spartans.

Former Tarxien midfielder Denni Rocha Dos Santos is ruled out for the Citizens. Lee Galea serves a one-match ban for the Rainbows.

Meanwhile in the first game, Birkirkara take on Floriana in a direct clash for second place.

The Stripes defeated Marsaxlokk 4-1 in their last league game while Floriana lost 0-3 to Valletta. However both reached the semi-finals of the U*BET FA Trophy after defeating Sliema and Qormi respectively on penalties.

Owen Bugeja is suspended for Floriana.

In the first round, Floriana won 2-0 but Birkirkara registered a 1-0 win in the second round.

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