Stripes hope to extend lead as Valletta face Sliema test

bkara-qormi130202Birkirkara will be hoping to extend the lead at the top of the BOV Premier League table with a win over Qormi as second-placed Valletta face Sliema Wanderers in the two matches in programme at the National Stadium on Sunday.

After defeating Floriana 3-0 in their last outing, the Stripes will be all out to register an eleventh successive win in order to keep at least a four-point lead.

Qormi are currently third from bottom after losing four of the last seven matches. Under the guidance of new coach Karel Zeman, they were held in a goalless draw by Rabat Ajax last week.

Leighton Grech will be back for Qormi after serving a one-match ban. Birkirkara welcome back Ryan Scicluna and Jhonnattann but Daniel Zerafa is still recovering from an injury.

In the first round, Qormi held Birkirkara in a 1-1 draw.

Meanwhile in the first match, Valletta take on Sliema Wanderers.

The Citizens won five out of the last six matches and are keen to keep the pace with the leaders with another win on Sunday. Last week, they registered a narrow 2-1 win over Tarxien Rainbows.

Sliema dropped several points in recent outings, collecting only six points from the last five matches. They were held in two draws by Tarxien and Mosta in their last two outings and now lie just three points ahead of fifth-placed Naxxar and four ahead of Mosta.

Steve Borg, Jonathan Caruana and Ryan Fenech should be back for the Citizens after missing the last game. Making his debut for Sliema will be Bosnian striker Admir Vladavić.

In the first round, Valletta defeated Sliema 3-0.

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