Birkirkara seek sole leadership

Birkirkara will be aiming for the three points on Friday as they take on Balzan in one of the two BOV Premier League matches in programme at the Victor Tedesco Stadium. A win which put the Stripes three points ahead of Valletta although the latter would have a game in hand.

The Stripes share the top spot with Valletta after defeating Melita 3-0 last week. Their third win in four matches. Edward Herrera returns for Birkirkara after serving a two-match ban.

Balzan, however, seek another positive result as they are coming from seven consecutive positive results, defeating Hamrun Spartans 3-2 in their last outing.

In the first round, Birkirkara defeated Balzan 2-1.

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

The Magpies are chasing their first win and are coming from three consecutive defeats – the last being a 0-3 defeat to Qormi. However once again, they will be facing another game with a depleted side due to the absence of Chris Schembri, Shaun Gauci, Wayne Borg, Adam Smeir and possibly Nerijus Astrauskas and Yan Cauchi while German midfielder Heiner Backhaus is no longer a Rabat player after being released by the club.

Melita, on the other hand, hope to collect the three points in their bid to move closer to Floriana and Qormi. After holding Floriana in a draw, they lost to Birkikara last week. Spanish striker Jose Luis Armaro Negrin is ruled out as he was handed a one-match ban.

The first round clash ended in a 3-3 draw.

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