Champions Valletta target a fifth consecutive win on Sunday as they take on Naxxar Lions in one of the two BOV Premier League matches in programme at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
In the other match, Balzan face Sliema Wanderers hoping to stay clear of the teams chasing them for fourth place. The other two games – Tarxien vs Qormi and Zebbug vs Pietà in programme at the Hibernians Stadium were postponed.
Naxxar Lions vs Valletta, kick-off 14:00 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
Valletta will be all out to get the three points in their bid to narrow the gap with leaders Hibernians to thirteen points. The Citizens won their last four matches, defeating Sliema, Qormi, Pietà and Zebbug.
Naxxar, on the other hand, are coming from a goalless draw with Sliema after losing the previous three matches. They lie just one point ahead of Qormi, Tarxien and Pietà who are currently joint-second from bottom.
Naxxar coach Jesmond Zerafa could not count on the suspended Jorge Santos Silva and Pablo Doffo. Valletta, on the other hand, lack Ryan Fenech but new signings Djameel Leeflang and Vladimir Savicevic are set to make their debut.
Valletta registered a 2-0 win in the first round.
Balzan vs Sliema Wanderers, kick-off 16:15 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
After losing 0-4 to Hibernians, Balzan hope to bounce back in order to stay clear of Floriana and Mosta in the battle for fourth place. They defeated Zabbar St. Patrick 6-0 in the FA Trophy in mid-week. The Wanderers, on the other hand, are currently seventh and lost four of the last seven matches, losing to Zebbug and being held by a Naxxar side reduced to ten men in their last two outings.
Bojan Kaljevic is set to make his league debut for Balzan after scoring four in his debut in the FA Trophy clash with Zabbar St. Patrick. Elkin Serrano is ruled out for Oliver Spiteri’s side as he serves a one-match ban but Clive Brincat will be back. Filippo Andrea Scozzese returns for Sliema after missing the last game.
The first round clash ended in a goalless draw.