Valletta hope to continue where they had left last Saturday as they take on Balzan in another direct clash between one of the top teams in the BOV Premier League.

The 4-0 win over rivals Birkirkara enabled Valletta to keep marching on in the BOV Premier League along with champions Hibernians and following the Paolites’ fine derby win over Tarxien Rainbows, the Citizens cannot afford any result other than a win to continue sharing the top spot.

Balzan, however, are eager to bounce back from a heavy 0-3 defeat to Tarxien Rainbows last week – the fourth defeat in six matches for Oliver Spiteri’s side.

Valletta’s Ian Azzopardi and Balzan’s Elkin Serrano are set to return after serving a one-match ban.

In the first round, Balzan defeated Valletta 1-0.

Meanwhile in the first match, Birkirkara will be all out to return to winning ways after the heavy defeat to Valletta. A defeat which ultimately led to the dismissal of coach Giovanni Tedesco.

Josef Mansueto will be leading the team for today’s game before the club appoints a new coach. Fabrizio Miccoli, who was one of the scorers in the 6-0 FA Trophy win over Kirkop, is not expected to feature for Birkirkara who may have Paul Fenech making his return.

Their opponents on Sunday, Pembroke Athleta, also seek a positive result after losing to Sliema Wanderers last week. They are currently fourth from bottom, one point behind Sliema.

Birkirkara beat Pembroke Athleta 4-1 in the first round.