Greens hope to upset leaders

bov-premier-league-2013-2014After claiming maximum points from their last three outings, Floriana will be hoping to collect more precious points in their bid to secure a top-six finish as they take on champions Birkirkara at the National Stadium on Sunday.

The Greens are currently seventh on 21 points, two behind Mosta and three behind Naxxar Lions. They won five out of the last six matches, losing only to rivals Valletta.

However Birkirkara will definitely be all out for the three points in order to maintain a comfortable lead over Valletta and Hibernians. They seek their tenth consecutive win after they extended their positive streak with a 2-1 win over Hibernians just before the Christmas break.

Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao and Ryan Scicluna are ruled out for Birkirkara as they serve a one-match ban but Joseph Zerafa will be back after missing the last game. Floriana will be without the suspended Emmanuel Ibok Edet.

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

Meanwhile in the first match, Hibernians hope to return to winning ways as they take on Balzan,

The Paolites lost three of the last five matches after maintaining a positive run of eleven matches without defeats. They now lie six points behind Birkirkara. Balzan, on the other hand, are currently eighth and still maintain hopes of securing a top-six finish.

The Balzan squad has been strengthened with the signing of goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo and midfielder Kurt Magro from Valletta, Brazilian defender Lucas Ramon dos Santos from Vittoriosa and former Qormi midfielder Edison Bilbao Zarate who played for New York Cosmos in the USA. Hibernians, on the other hand, transferred Matthew Tabone on loan to St. George’s.

In the first round, Hibernians beat Balzan 1-0.