Hibernians, Valletta cross swords in another top-of-the-table clash

After defeating Balzan 3-1, Hibernians take on Valletta in another top-of-the-table clash on Wednesday which could enable them to make another important step towards claiming the title.

In the other matches, Balzan take on Gzira United, Mosta face St. Andrews and Hamrun Spartans host Floriana.

Mosta vs St. Andrews, kick-off 18:00 at National Stadium
Mosta will be aiming at ending their losing streak after losing the last five matches – conceding no less than twenty-two goals. St. Andrews, on the other hand, are coming from a 1-4 defeat to Sliema but lie twelve points ahead of Mosta.

St. Andrews could not count on the suspended Bong Won Che. Pedrinho, on the otherhand, will be back for Mosta after serving a one-match ban.

Mosta beat St. Andrews 1-0 in the first round with the second round clash ending in a 1-1 draw.

Valletta vs Hibernians, kick-off 20:00 at National Stadium
Following a goalless draw with Floriana, this clash could be the last chance for Valletta as they lie five points behind the Paolites and a defeat could see them fall eight points behind the leaders with five games to go. The Citizens are unbeaten in ten matches but Hibernians are coming from four consecutive wins.

The Paolites have already defeated Valletta 2-0 and 1-0 in the previous rounds.

Balzan vs Gzira United, kick-off 18:00 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
After two back-to-back defeats in two direct clashes with Valletta and Hibernians, Balzan hope to bounce back with a win over Gzira who won five out of the last six matches and are currently joint-seventh on 31 points.

Balzan goalkeeper Ivan Janjusevic and Gzira United’s Souleymane Diamoutene and Andrew Cohen ruled out through suspension. Anderson de Barros returns for Balzan after skipping the last game while Zach Scerri will be back for Gzira.

In the previous rounds, Gzira defeated Balzan 3-1 and 2-1.

Hamrun Spartans vs Floriana, kick-off 20:15 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
Hamrun Spartans and Floriana will be hoping to return to winning ways. The Spartans failed to win any out of the last eight matches but earned two points in draws with St. Andrews and Tarxien in the last two matches. The Greens lost just one out of the last seven matches but managed to win only one game out of the last four.

Floriana will be without the suspended Justin Haber, Enrico Pepe, Nicolas Chiesa and Ryan Camenzuli apart from the injured Jurgen Pisani and Maurizio Vella but welcome back Andre Scicluna.

Following a 1-1 draw between the two teams in the first round, the Greens defeated the Spartans 5-1 in the second round.