Citizens target win to close in on leaders

valletta-tarxien130312pzcValletta could move to just three points behind joint-leaders Birkirkara and Hibernians should they beat Tarxien Rainbows in one of the two BOV Premier League matches in programme at the National Stadium on Sunday.

The Stripes’ goalless draw with Mosta and the Paolites’ dramatic 3-2 win over Sliema meant that they now share the top spot on 39 points, six ahead of Valletta. And should the Citizens beat Tarxien and therefore half the gap with the top two, the scenario of two or even the three teams ending the season on level points becomes a possibility with two rounds of matches to go.

Valletta defeated Mosta 6-1 and Sliema 2-0 in their last two outings.

The Rainbows held Valletta in a 1-1 draw in the second round and beat them 3-2 in the third and will do their best to upset the Citizens once again. They returned to winning ways last week, defeating Mosta 4-2.

Tarxien are expected to be in full strength but Michael Mifsud and Demba Toure are ruled out for Valletta.

Meanwhile in the first match, Melita will be aiming to collect the three points to maintain alive hopes of avoiding relegation as they take on Balzan.

Lying at the bottom of the table, they have now gone twelve matches without a win, losing to Floriana and Qormi in their last two outings.

Balzan seek their first points since the appointment of Riccardo Tumiatti as their new coach. Getting points from this game since they are not safe yet, at least mathematically. In their last three outings, they lost to Rabat, Hamrun and Floriana.

Renato Conceicao and Aaron Agius return for Balzan after serving a one-match ban. Melita could not count on the suspended Matthew Borg, Manuel Ramon Sierra Camacho and Karl Vella Petroni.

Balzan defeated Melita 2-1 and 4-0 in the first two rounds with the third round clash ending in a goalless draw.

Photo: Copyright © Paul Zammit Cutajar