Champions take on rivals Floriana

Champions Valletta hope to extend their positive run to twenty-six matches without defeat as they take on eternal rivals Floriana in one of the two BOV Premier League matches in programme at the National Stadium on Saturday.

The Citizens won seven of the eight Championship Pool clashes. They are coming from six successive wins, scoring thirteen goals and suffering just two. In the last three games, they maintained a clean sheet.

Floriana, on the other hand, won three of the last four matches to stay ahead of Birkirkara in third place. In their last game, they beat Balzan Youths 3-0.

Although they have already been crowned champions, Valletta are still expected to go out in search of the three points in order to hamper their eternal rivals’ chances of taking the third place. On the other hand, Floriana have to win to make sure of staying third as a draw would put them in fourth place should Birkirkara defeat Balzan.

Valletta and Floriana met five times this season. After a 2-1 win in the Euro Cup and a 3-0 victory in the Super Cup, Valletta defeated Floriana 1-0 in the first round. The second round clash ended in a 1-1 draw while the third round match saw a 2-0 win for the champions.

Meanwhile in the first match, Hamrun Spartans take on Tarxien Rainbows in a clash from the Relegation Pool.

Following Qormi’s narrow win over Mqabba, Hamrun are now sure of playing Premier League football next season. The Rainbows, on the other hand, need just one point to secure their status.

Tarxien won three of the last four matches, defeating Mosta 2-1 in their last outing. On the other hand, after maintaining a positive record in the Relegation Pool for seven matches, Hamrun suffered a humiliating 0-6 defeat to rivals Qormi in their last outing. They won just one of the last four matches.

The Rainbows are expected to be in full strength as Everton Antonio Pereira and Justin Grioli will be back after missing the last game. For Hamrun, Ronni Hartvig is suspended.

Following a 1-1 draw in the first round, Hamrun defeated Tarxien twice 3-1 and 2-1.

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