After a long break due to the U*BET FA Trophy third round matches and the festive season, the BOV Premier League will be back this weekend with another six matches. Four teams will be seeking precious points on Friday as Mqabba take on Balzan Youths and Mosta face Tarxien Rainbows.
In the first match, Balzan Youths could move into fourth place, on level points with Sliema Wanderers and Birkirkara, should they beat Mqabba.
The Youths are currently joint-sixth together with Qormi on 20 points. They won three out of the last four matches – including a fine 3-2 win over Hibernians in their last outing. In the FA Trophy, they defeated First Division side Zejtun Corinthians 2-1.
Mqabba, on the other hand, are currently eighth on 15 points. The Reds won just one of the last eight matches and are coming from a 0-1 defeat to Birkirkara. They were also eliminated from the FA Trophy, losing 2-4 to Sliema Wanderers.
Julian Briffa and Nigerian striker John Nwoba are set to make their debut for Mqabba but Marlon Briffa is ruled out through suspension. For Balzan, Martin Deanov should make his first appearance after joining the club from Marsaxlokk. However New Zealand striker Kim Bright left the club to join a Norwegian team.
In the first round, Mqabba registered a 2-1 win.
Meanwhile in the second match, Mosta take on Tarxien Rainbows in a clash between two teams in the lower part of the table. Mosta lie at the bottom of the table with ten points while Tarxien are currently tenth on thirteen points.
The Rainbows returned to winning ways in their last league outing, defeating Qormi 2-0 after suffering four consecutive defeats. However in the U*BET FA Trophy, they disappointed once again losing heavily to First Division leaders Pietà Hotspurs.
Mosta, on the other hand, showed some improvement in recent outings, collecting five points from the last four matches, losing to Valletta 0-1 in the last match. In the FA Trophy, however, they struggled to beat Msida St. Joseph 1-0.
Mosta captain Nikola Bogdanovic is suspended. However the Blues could parade their new foreigners.
In the first round, Tarxien registered a narrow 1-0 win.
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