Citizens target win in clash with Maroons

Valletta could move temporarily on top the BOV Premier League table if they beat Gzira United in one of the two BOV Premier League matches in programme on Saturday.

The Citizens lie in second place, together with Balzan, two points behind leaders Hibernians. They won six out of the last seven matches and are unbeaten in eleven matches. They also managed to beat the other two challengers – Balzan and Hibernians over the past three weeks.

Gzira, on the other hand, are currently joint-seventh on 31 points, along with St. Andrews and Tarxien. They lost 1-3 to Balzan earlier this week but they won five out of the last seven matches.

The Maroons welcome back Souleymane Diamoutene and Andrew Cohen. Valletta, on the other hand could not count on the suspended Steve Borg and Uchenna Umeh.

Valletta defeated Gzira 3-1 and 1-0 in the previous rounds.

Meanwhile in the second match, Balzan face Birkirkara.

A win is a must for Balzan in order to move top in the BOV Premier League, possibly along with Valletta, before Hibernians face Floriana on Sunday. Balzan defeated Gzira 3-1 in the mid-week programme but they lost three out of the last seven matches including the direct clashes with Valletta and Hibernians and the game to Sliema.

Birkirkara are currently fourth on 51 points, eight behind Hibs and six behind Balzan and Valletta but play a very important role in the race for the championship as after this clash with Balzan, they face Valletta in a week’s time and Hibernians in two weeks’ time. In their last outing, they defeated Pembroke Athleta 2-0.

The Stripes welcome back Nikola Vukanac while Ivan Janjusevic returns for Balzan but they lack Samir Arab.

Birkirkara defeated Balzan 3-1 in the first round with the second round clash ending in a 1-1 draw.