Naxxar, Balzan in direct clash for Championship Pool spot

balzan-naxxar131026Naxxar Lions take on Balzan in a decisive clash for a place in the Championship Pool in one of the two BOV Premier League matches in programme at the Hibernians Stadium on Monday. These games were originally scheduled for Saturday but were postponed due to bad weather.

Naxxar are currently sixth on 27 points, five ahead of Balzan and six ahead of Floriana.

Although they suffered a heavy 1-7 defeat to Birkirkara in their last outing, the Lions will be all out for the three points as they would move eight points ahead of Balzan with two games to go for the end of the first phase, therefore securing a historic top-six finish.

Balzan, however, will be determined to claim the three points and re-open wide the battle for sixth place. They won three of the last four matches, defeating Qormi 1-0 last week.

On Wednesday, Naxxar reached the quarter-finals of the U*BET FA Trophy after beating Floriana 1-0 while Balzan were eliminated by Sliema Wanderers on penalties.

In the first round, Naxxar beat Balzan 3-0.

Meanwhile in the second match on Saturday, Birkirkara chase the thirteenth consecutive win as they take on Tarxien Rainbows.

The Stripes extended their brilliant record with an impressive 7-1 win over Naxxar Lions last week and then defeated St. Andrews 4-0 in the FA Trophy. Tarxien, on the other hand, moved fourth from bottom thanks to a 6-2 win over Rabat Ajax.

Carlo Mamo is ruled out through suspension for Tarxien.

In the first round, Birkirkara defeated Tarxien 1-0.

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