Tricky test for leaders Hibernians

hibs-mosta130316Hibernians take on in-form Mosta as they seek to extend their hundred percent record record to seven matches without defeat in one of the four matches in programme on Saturday.

Mosta vs Hibs and Balzan vs Floriana are scheduled at the Victor Tedesco Stadium while at the National Stadium, Vittoriosa take on Tarxien and champions Birkirkara face Qormi.

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Vittoriosa S. vs Tarxien R. – kick-off 16:00, National Stadium
Vittoriosa Stars and Tarxien Rainbows will be hoping to collect more points after claiming important points in recent outings. Newly-promoted Vittoriosa defeated Qormi and Rabat while Tarxien held Sliema in a draw before beating Balzan 3-1 last week. The two teams share the sixth place with Naxxar Lions.

For Vittoriosa, Clive Spiteri is ruled out through suspension while Luke Vella Critien, Roberto Brincat and Sheldon Grech are recovering from injuries. Tarxien welcome back Jorge Santos Silva but Manuel Caruana is ruled out injured.

Birkirkara vs Qormi – kick-off 18:00, National Stadium
Champions Birkirkara hope to close in on leaders Hibernians as the leaders face Mosta and second-placed Sliema take on Valletta. The Stripes are currently third on 13 points, one behind Sliema and five behind the Paolites. They bounced back from a defeat to Hibernians with a narrow win over Valletta last week.

Qormi are desperate for points after winning just one of the first six matches and are currently third from bottom. They are coming from three consecutive defeats to Valletta, Vittoriosa and Hibernians.

Coach Tommaso Volpi is unable to field his best formation as a number of players are recovering from injuries. Matheus Bissi da Silva and Edward Herrera return for Birkirkara after missing the Valletta clash.

Balzan vs Floriana – kick-off 16:00, Victor Tedesco Stadium
Coach Jesmond Zerafa will be making his debut as Balzan coach after replacing Riccardo Tumiatti earlier this week. After losing the last four matches to Birkirkara, Sliema, Mosta and Tarxien, Balzan are eager to bounce back with a win over the Greens which would put them back on track.

Floriana, on the other hand, hope to return to winning ways after losing narrowly to Sliema. A win which would put them on level points with Balzan.

Daniel Bogdanovic is expected to be back for Floriana. For Balzan, Firas Aboulezz is suspended.

Mosta vs Hibernians – kick-off 18:15, Victor Tedesco Stadium
Hibernians will be aiming for a seventh win in seven matches in the clash with Mosta but this is no easy task considering that the Blues won four of the first six matches and are currently fourth on level points with Valletta. The Paolites defeated Qormi 4-1 last week while Mosta claimed the three points in the derby with Naxxar thanks to a 4-2 win.

Jean Paul Farrugia is ruled out through suspension for Hibernians. Mosta lack Ryan Grech and Diego Pereira.