Hibernians seek revenge over Spartans

Hibernians will be hoping to close in on leaders Valletta as they host Hamrun Spartans in one of the two matches in programme at the Hibernians Stadium on Sunday.

The Paolites, who are currently third on 38 points, seven behind the Citizens, will be hoping to revenge the first round result when the Spartans held them in a draw to end their impressive run of seven consecutive wins.

Andrew Cohen is suspended but Edward Herrera should be back after recovering from an injury.

The Spartans are currently third from bottom and lost four out of the last six matches. A 3-2 win over Birkirkara in the FA Trophy must have lifted to Spartans’ morale. Goalkeeper Omar Borg will be back after missing the last league game while Danish defender Ronni Hartvig is expected to make his debut. However Gianluca Calabretta is suspended.

Meanwhile in the first match, both Mqabba and Tarxien Rainbows aim at returning to winning ways as they cross swords in a clash between two teams from the lower part of the table.

Mqabba won just one of the last ten matches but were never humiliated, suffering narrow defeats to Hamrun, Birkirkara and Valletta. In their last outing against the Citizens, they were unlucky to lose with a stoppage-time goal. Claudio Calleja returns for the Reds after serving a one-match ban.

Tarxien, on the other hand, are currently second from bottom on 13 points, three behind Mqabba. They lost six out of the last seven matches, suffering narrow defeats to Mosta and Hibernians in their last two outings.

Orosco Anonam returns for the Rainbows after missing the last game but Caio Garcia Suguino and Luke Vella Critien are no longer in squad after moving elsewhere. Daniel Mariano Bueno, Ricardo Costa and Carl Sammut are also unavailable.

Tarxien won 3-2 in the first round.