Birkirkara, Valletta seek wins to keep the pace with top two

Birkirkara and Valletta will be all out to get the three points on Sunday as they take on Gzira United and Tarxien Rainbows respectively in the two BOV Premier League matches in programme at the National Stadium.

In the first match, Gzira will be hoping to upset the Stripes following an impressive 4-3 win over Floriana. However Birkirkara, fresh from their 2-1 win over Hibernians, cannot afford any result other than a win in order not to lose further ground, especially after Floriana’s 4-0 win over Mosta which enabled them to leapfrog the Stripes.

Andrew Cohen is set to make his debut for the Maroons after joining the club from Hibernians. Birkirkara welcome back Gary Muir after serving a one-match ban while new signing Jhon Obregon could make his first appearance for the club.

In the first round, Birkirkara had humiliated Gzira, beating them 7-1.

In the second match, Valletta will be hoping to return to winning ways as they take on Tarxien Rainbows. The Citizens dropped two important points in a 1-1 draw with St. Andrews and now that they lie six points behind Hibernians and eight behind Balzan, nothing would satisfy them other than a win. However Tarxien are unbeaten in seven matches and after four consecutive wins, they held leaders Balzan in a 2-2 draw last week.

For Tarxien, Alex da Paixao Alves is ruled out through suspension.

Valletta defeated Tarxien 1-0 in the first round.