Tough test for leaders Birkirkara

mosta-bkara130915Leaders Birkirkara are in for a tough test on Wednesday as they take on in-form Mosta in one of four BOV Premier League matches in programme at the National Stadium and the Hibernians Stadium.

Valletta take on Hibernians and Balzan meet Sliema Wanderers in the other two Championship Pool clashes. Naxxar Lions face Tarxien Rainbows in a clash from the Relegation Pool.

Balzan vs Sliema W., kick-off 18:00 at Hibernians Stadium
After earning a point in a draw with Valletta, Sliema Wanderers will be aiming for the three points in their bid to move third. They are currently fourth on 24 points, one behind the Paolites. The Blues have gone nine matches without defeat – five wins and four draws.

Balzan, on the other hand, hope for a positive performance after a good first-half showing in the game against Birkirkara was not enough to take some points home.

Ramon dos Santos and Pedro Calcado are ruled out injured for Balzan. Clifford Gatt Baldacchino and Abubakar Bello-Osagie are recovering from injuries for Sliema.

Sliema defeated Balzan twice this season – 1-0 and 3-0.

Birkirkara vs Mosta, kick-off 20:00 at Hibernians Stadium
After going three points clear on top the BOV Premier League table, leaders Birkirkara face a difficult test as they take on a Mosta side which is coming from six consecutive wins, including the 2-1 win over Hibernians last Saturday. The Stripes came back from one goal down to beat Balzan 3-1 last Sunday to register the fifteenth win in sixteen matches.

Paul Zammit could not count on Rowen Muscat, Paul Fenech and Gareth Sciberras while Mosta welcome back Jonas Ekani Rodriguez although Dyson Falzon is ruled out injured.

Birkirkara defeated Mosta 3-1 and 2-1 earlier this season.

Naxxar L. vs Tarxien R., kick-off 18:00 at National Stadium
Naxxar Lions hope to return to winning ways as they take on Tarxien Rainbows after losing four matches and earning only a point in a draw with Rabat. However the fact that they have already defeated Tarxien twice this season – 3-1 and 2-0 – should lift their morale ahead of this game. Tarxien won just one of the last eleven matches and are coming from a draw with Vittoriosa during the weekend.

Naxxar’s Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro and Tarxien’s Fernando Lopes Alcantara are ruled out through suspension.

Hibernians vs Valletta, kick-off 20:00 at National Stadium
Hibernians and Valletta will be all out to claim the three points from this direct clash after both disappointed in their first Championship Pool outing. Hibs lost 1-2 to Mosta – their third defeat in the last six matches – while Valletta were held in a 1-1 draw with Sliema.

Hibernians will be without Edison Luis dos Santos but Johann Bezzina will be back after serving a one-match ban.

In the first round, Hibs won 3-2 but Valletta won the second round clash 2-1.

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