BOV Premier League second round comes to an end this weekend

The second round of the BOV Premier League comes to an end this weekend with four matches on Saturday and another two on Sunday.

On Saturday, Valletta start as favourites to extend their positive run with a win over Qormi. Sliema hope to return to winning ways against Naxxar, Tarxien take on St. Andrews while Mosta cross swords with Pembroke.

St. Andrews vs Tarxien Rainbows, kick-off 14:00 at Hibernians Stadium
Following a draw with Hibernians and a win over Naxxar Lions, St. Andrews target a third positive result as they take on Tarxien Rainbows. However sixth-placed Tarxien, who defeated Qormi 4-0 last week, would move on level points with Floriana should they beat the Saints on Saturday. With a win, Tarxien would start the third round on 20 points while with a draw, they would start on 19.

Ebiabowei Baker is ruled out through suspension for Tarxien. St. Andrews, on the other hand, are expected to be in full strength.

In the first round, Tarxien registered a narrow 1-0 win.

Qormi vs Valletta, kick-off 16:00 at Hibernians Stadium
Leaders Valletta are firm favourites to register a tenth win in eleven matches as they take on a Qormi side coming from six straight defeats. Last week, Valletta defeated Mosta 3-0 while Qormi lost 0-4 to Tarxien. A win for Valletta would ensure that they would start the third phase on 27 points, at least two ahead of the team in second place.

Michael Mifsud returns for Valletta after serving a one-match ban.

In the first round, Valletta defeated Qormi 2-1.

Mosta vs Pembroke Athleta, kick-off 14:00 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
Mosta and Pembroke eye precious points from this clash between teams lying in the eighth and ninth place. The Blues lost four out of the last six matches, losing to Valletta last week while Pembroke are coming from back-to-back defeats to Valletta and Floriana. A win for the latter would narrow the gap with Mosta to just two points which would effectively mean one point in the beginning of the third phase.

Paltemio Barbetti returns for Pembroke after missing the last game through suspension but Leighton Grech is still recovering from an injury. Mosta, on the other hand, could not count on the injured Dyson Falzon.

In the first round, Mosta defeated Pembroke 2-0.

Sliema Wanderers vs Naxxar Lions, kick-off 16:15 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
Sliema Wanderers are desperate for victory after losing the last four games to Floriana, Birkirkara, Balzan and Hibs. Their opponents on Saturday, Naxxar, are also desperate for points after losing eight of the last nine matches, including last week’s 0-1 defeat to St. Andrews.

Angus Buhagiar returns for Naxxar but Ryan Grech is suspended. Sliema, on the other hand, welcome back Stefano Bianciardi.

In the first round, Sliema defeated Naxxar 2-1.