A win is a must for Sliema Wanderers in order to secure a place in the Championship Pool as they take on Hamrun Spartans in one of the two BOV Premier League matches in programme at the National Stadium on Saturday.

After collecting just five points from the last five matches, the Wanderers almost risked being left out of the top-six. However should they beat Hamrun, they would make sure of playing in the Championship Pool before what would be a decisive game against Balzan next week. The Blues are currently on the 31 point mark, four ahead of Qormi and Floriana and five ahead of Balzan.

The Spartans, on the other hand, are under huge pressure after suffering two heavy defeats to Hibernians and Valletta and have now lost ten out of the last eleven matches.

Luigi Ruggiero will be back after serving a one-match ban but Stefano Bianciardi is suspended. Hamrun should have their latest signings – Giacomo Favero and Cesar Catalan.

In the first round, Sliema beat Hamrun 2-1.

Photo: Copyright © Joe Borg / MFA

Meanwhile in the second match, Birkirkara take on Qormi.

The Stripes will be seeking revenge after their U*BET FA Trophy exit at the expense of Qormi. A win would enable them to close in on Hibernians following the Paolites’ defeat to Floriana on friday. In their last outing, they were held in a goalless draw by Sliema.

Qormi still maintain slim hopes of securing a place in the Championship Pool. They need to win the remaining two matches, hoping that Sliema collect only one point from the last two games against Hamrun and Balzan. Last week, they defeated Mosta 2-1.

In the first round, the two teams shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.