Champions Hibernians face Valletta in direct clash for top spot

Champions Hibernians and rivals Valletta cross swords in yet another big match for the Citizens after beating Birkirkara ten days earlier. Hibs-Valletta is one of four BOV Premier League matches in programme on Wednesday at the National Stadium and Hibernians Stadium.

Floriana and Sliema seek a third consecutive win as they take on St. Andrews and Qormi respectively while Tarxien hope to bounce back in the game against Naxxar.

Naxxar Lions vs Tarxien Rainbows, kick-off 18:00 at Hibernians Stadium
After losing narrowly to champions Hibernians, Tarxien Rainbows will be all out to return to winning ways as they take on a Naxxar Lions side still chasing their first points. Naxxar lost to Birkirkara, Balzan, Hibs and Floriana but on Sunday, it was an only goal which made the whole difference. The Rainbows, on the other hand, had defeated Sliema and held Birkirkara and Balzan in draws in the previous outings.

Sliema Wanderers vs Qormi, kick-off 20:00 at Hibernians Stadium
After losing to Pembroke and Valletta, Sliema showed they are back on track after defeating Pembroke and Mosta and another win on Wednesday would enable them to leapfrog Birkirkara and move fifth or even fourth.

However, Qormi hope to continue where they had left on Saturday as they registered their first win, beating St. Andrews 3-0.

Floriana vs St. Andrews, kick-off 18:00 at National Stadium
Floriana will be all out for a third successive win as they face another team without any points from the first four matches – St. Andrews.

The Greens lost to Mosta and Hibs but defeated Qormi and Naxxar. St. Andrews, on the other hand, are finding life tough in the top division and lost to Valletta, Pembroke, Mosta and Qormi, suffering thirteen goals in the process.

Hibernians vs Valletta, kick-off 20:00 at National Stadium
Champions Hibernians hope to extend their unbeaten record as they take on a Valletta side who already met two of the main rivals for the title in their last two matches – defeating Birkirkara and losing narrowly to Balzan, after beating St. Andrews and Sliema in their first two outings. The Paolites, on the other hand, were held in a goalless draw by Balzan in their first game but then registered wins over Floriana, Naxxar and Tarxien.

A notable absentee from Wednesday’s game will be new Hibs recruit Denni Rocha dos Santos who will miss the game against his former team after receiving a two-match ban last week.