Leaders in desperate search of victory

Leaders Valletta will be all out for the three points on Friday as they take on Sliema Wanderers in one of the two matches at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

The Citizens were surprisingly held in two 1-1 draws in their last two matches by Rabat Ajax and Balzan at the same stadium and therefore cannot afford dropping any more points in order to maintain a comfortable lead over their rivals.

The Wanderers are currently third on 19 points, together with Hibernians and Mosta, five behind Valletta. They won five of the last six matches and are coming from a 2-1 win over Hamrun.

Paltemio Barbetti returns for Sliema after serving a one-match ban.

Meanwhile in the first match, Rabat Ajax take on Balzan.

The Magpies currently lie at the bottom of the table with three points from ten matches and are still seeking their first win. They lost 1-3 to Tarxien Rainbows last week.

Balzan, on the other hand, are coming from five positive results, holding Mosta and Valletta in draws after claiming maximum points from the previous three matches. They are currently eighth on twelve points.

Matthew Camilleria and Jonathan Francica are injured while Rennie Forace and Bjorn Bondin are ruled out through suspension but Elton returns after serving a one-match ban. Heiner Backhaus is suspended for Rabat while Adam Smeir, Ryan Micallef, Christopher Schembri are injured with Nerijus Astrauskas also in doubt.

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