Birkirkara, Valletta seek maximum points

Birkirkara and Valletta will be all out to claim the three points on Sunday as they take on Mosta and Qormi respectively in the two matches in programme at the National Stadium.

After being held in three consecutive 1-1 draws, the Stripes registered a narrow win over Naxxar in their last outing to extend their unbeaten run to eleven matches. A win over Mosta would enable them to move eight points behind leaders Hibernians.

Mosta are currently seventh and won just one of the last ten matches. They are coming from a 1-1 draw with Balzan last week.

Gareth Sciberras and Rafael Ledesma are expected to be named in the starting line-up after being retained on the bench during the last game as they were recovering from injuries. Mosta welcome back Ousman Koli after serving a one-match ban but Ryan Grech is suspended.

Birkirkara defeated Mosta 2-0 and 5-1 in the previous rounds.

Meanwhile in the second match, Valletta cannot afford any result other than a win after losing two of the last three matches to Balzan and Zebbug, earning the only point in a draw with Birkirkara. Results which saw Ian Zammit’s side lose ground with respect to leaders Hibernians and fall into third place.

Qormi remain anchored at the bottom of the table after going fourteen matches without a win, earning just one point from the last nine games. Last week, Qormi lost 1-2 to Hibernians and now lie two points behind Naxxar and Tarxien and three behind Pietà and Zebbug.

Roderick Briffa returns for Valletta after serving a one-match ban. Qormi are expected to be in full strength.

Valletta beat Qormi 4-0 in the first round and 3-2 in the second round.