Citizens, Stripes hope to close in on leaders

valletta-bkara121006Valletta take on rivals Birkirkara in this weekend’s big clash hoping for a win in order to keep the pace with leaders Hibernians. Following the Paolites’ 4-1 win over Qormi, they moved six points clear and therefore the Citizens need a win in order to move back three points behind Hibs.

Mark Miller’s side won four out of the first five matches, dropping their only points in a defeat to the Paolites. However their performance was far from impressive in the last two matches, registering narrow wins over Qormi and Naxxar.

The Stripes lie two points behind the Citizens after winning three matches, being held in a draw by Sliema and losing to Hibs last week. Birkirkara are therefore eager to bounce back with a win which could put them in second or third place, ahead of Valletta.

For Birkirkara, Matheus Bissi da Silva is suspended while Edward Herrera and Ryan Scicluna are recovering from injuries. Ian Azzopardi is in doubt for Valletta.

Meanwhile in the first match at the National Stadium, kick-off at 17:00, Sliema Wanderers take on Floriana.

The Blues, together with Hibernians, are still unbeaten but they dropped two important points in a draw with Tarxien Rainbows last week. A win over Old Firm rivals Floriana could put them in second place if Valletta fail to beat Birkirkara.

Floriana are coming from a comfortable 4-0 win over Rabat Ajax which enabled them to cancel their six-point deduction. However they are still second from bottom on one point.

Sliema defender Clifford Gatt Baldacchino is ruled out as he serves a one-match ban.

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