The top spot in the BOV Premier League table is at stake as Floriana take on Birkirkara and Balzan face Sliema Wanderers in the two matches in programme at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Saturday.
After Friday’s matches, Valletta and Hibernians lead the way with 22 points, followed by Birkirkara on 21, Balzan 20, Tarxien and Floriana 19. Therefore with a win for Birkirkara, the Stripes would be the new leaders. If Birkirkara fail to beat Floriana and Balzan beat Sliema, Oliver Spiteri’s side would take the top spot. On the other hand, if Balzan fail to beat Sliema and Floriana beat Birkirkara, the Greens would join Valletta and Hibernians on top.
Birkirkara lost one just game against Valletta and are coming from a positive run of seven matches – five wins and two draws with Mosta and Hibernians.
Floriana, on the other hand, lost just one of the last eight matches – a 1-3 defeat to Valletta and are coming from two wins over Balzan and Pembroke.
After dropping just four points from the first eight matches in two draws, Balzan suffered back-to-back defeats to Floriana and Birkirkara and are therefore eager to return to winning ways on Saturday.
The Wanderers, on the other hand, are currently eigth after beating Naxxar and holding Hibernians in a draw in their last two outings.
Mark Scerri is ruled out for Sliema as he serves a one-match ban but Alex Muscat and Michael Mifsud should be back. Balzan, on the other hand, welcome back Elkin Serrano Valero and Edison Bilbao Zarate but lack the injured Ryan Fenech and Bojan Kaljevic.