Valletta take on eternal rivals Floriana

Champions Valletta will be all out for the three points on Wednesday as they take on Floriana in one of the two BOV Premier League matches in programme at the National Stadium. Two matches which bring the first phase to an end.

The Citizens disappointed in a 1-1 draw in their last outing and are therefore determined to return to winning ways. A win which would put them back on top the BOV Premier League table after Hibernians were held in a draw by Tarxien on Monday.

Photo: Copyright © Joe Borg / MFA

However, the Citizens would still start their commitments on level points with the Paolites as the latter’s total is rounded to twenty-three points. If Valletta fail to beat Floriana, they would start the second phase on 22 points.

Floriana are eager to upset their rivals following the narrow win over Hibernians in their last outing. A win which was cancelled by the MFA Protests Board due to ineligibility of Greens’ midfielder Harry Agombar. They lie on the 24-point mark which would be halved to twelve for the Relegation Pool.

Kane Farrugia and Carl Tremarco will be back for Floriana who will have Iain Brunskill making his debut as coach. Denni Rocha dos Santos and Roderick Briffa will be back for Valletta but Steve Borg is still ruled out injured.

In the first round, Valletta defeated Floriana 2-0.

Meanwhile in the first match, Hamrun Spartans face Birkirkara.

The Spartans hope to bring their disappointing run to an end after losing eleven out of the last twelve matches. They are set to start their Relegation Pool commitments on eight points, just one ahead of Melita and two ahead of Rabat Ajax unless they earn one or more points from the Birkirkara game. Last week, they lost 0-2 to Sliema.

Birkirkara, on the other hand, cannot afford any result other than a win in order to start the Championship Pool just one point behind the leaders. With a draw they would start on 21 points. They defeated Qormi 2-1 in their last outing.

Paul Fenech and Joseph Zerafa are ruled out for Birkirkara as they serve a one-match ban

In the first round, Hamrun defeated Birkirkara 3-1.