Champions hope to return to winning ways

After suffering their first defeat, losing 1-3 to Balzan last week, champions Hibernians will be hoping to return to winning ways on Sunday as they take on Birkirkara in one of the two BOV Premier League matches in programme at the National Stadium.

Like Hibs, Birkirkara are also coming from a defeat, having suffered a 1-2 loss to Valletta. The Stripes have now fallen five points behind the Citizens and another loss would mean that they would have to settle for third place.

Jurgen Borg is set to guard to posts for the Paolites as Henry Bonello serves a one-match ban.

Hibs defeated Birikirkara 1-0 in the first round with the second round clash ending in a 1-1 draw.

Meanwhile in the first match, Mosta aim to take maximum points from the clash with Floriana as they hope to avoid the Relegation Play-Off. The Blues are currently joint-third from bottom together with Tarxien on 20 points, one behind Qormi and two behind rivals Naxxar. A win against the Greens, with whom they also have a particular rivalry, would put them one point ahead of Naxxar in the derby which could prove decisive for the Relegation Play-Off.

However their record is far from impressive as they won just two out of the last thirteen matches, losing eight of the last twelve games.

Floriana, on the other hand, are sure of fifth place after losing out to Balzan in the battle for a place in the UEFA Europa League this summer. However Giovanni Tedesco’s side will target a hat-trick of wins over Mosta after beating them 3-2 and 3-1 in the previous rounds.

Matthew Calleja Cremona and Vito Plut will be back for Floriana after missing the last game but Amadou Samb and Steve Pisani are both suspended. Tyrone Farrugia serves a one-match ban for Mosta.