Birkirkara, Hibernians in clash for second place

Birkirkara and Hibernians will be all out for the three points in their bid to candidate themselves as the main challengers to leaders and champions Valletta as the two teams cross swords in one of the two BOV Premier League matches in programme at the Hibernians Stadium.

The two teams share the second place with Sliema Wanderers on 16 points, seven behind Valletta.

Both teams disappointed in recent outings. Birkirkara collected four points from the last four matches in a win over Tarxien and a draw with Valletta, suffering defeats to Sliema and Hamrun. in fact they lost 1-3 to Hamrun last week. Hibernians, on the other hand, lost 0-1 to Valletta and 0-4 to Sliema, earning just a point in a 2-2 draw in the derby with Tarxien last week.

Adrian Pulis and Zoran Levnajic (Hibs) are ruled out for Hibernians as they serve a one-match ban. Paul Fenech is suspended for Birkirkara.

Meanwhile in the first match, Floriana take on Tarxien Rainbows.

The Greens will be all out to return to winning ways after collecting just one point from the last three matches following a defeat to Mosta, a draw with Qormi and a defeat to Valletta. The Greens are currently ninth on 9 points, two behind sixth-placed Tarxien. the Rainbows in fact claimed four points from the last two matches, defeating Mosta 2-0 and holding Hibernians in a 2-2 draw.

Tarxien, however, will lack no less than four players suspended, namely Justin Grioli, Manuel Caruana, Andre Reinaldo de Souza Esposito and Daniel Mariano Bueno but Evaldo Silva dos Santos will be back after serving a two-match ban.