Balzan, Gzira seek wins to stay top

Joint-leaders Balzan and Gzira United target maximum points on Saturday as they take on Senglea Athletic and Sliema Wanderers respectively in two of the four matches in programme at the Centenary Stadium and Hibernians Stadium respectively.

Naxxar Lions and Mosta cross swords in the derby while Lija Athletic face Hamrun Spartans in the other two matches.
Lija Athletic vs Hamrun Spartans, kick-off 14:00 at Centenary Stadium
Fresh from a prestigious draw with Valletta, Hamrun Spartans will be aiming for the three points from the clash with Lija Athletic in their bid to stay close to the top teams. The Spartans lost just one out of the last four matches, defeating Senglea and Naxxar in the process.

Lija, on the other hand, eye another positive result following a win over Tarxien and a draw with St. Andrews in their last two matches.

Erjon Beu will be back for Lija after serving a one-match ban. Guilherme Felipe de Castro is ruled out for the Spartans after being suspended for one match.

Senglea Athletic vs Balzan, kick-off 16:15 at Centenary Stadium
Joint-leaders Balzan target a fifth consecutive win on Saturday as they take on Senglea. Marko Micovic’s side are unbeaten in nine matches and a win would ensure they will enjoy the top spot for another week. Senglea, on the other hand, are hoping to end their disappointing streak after losing five out of the last seven matches, having gone over two months without a win. They are currently tenth on nine points.

New Senglea coach Paolo Favaretto could not count on the suspended Antonio Terraciano and Hubert Vella.

Sliema Wanderers vs Gzira United, kick-off 14:00 at Hibernians Stadium
Gzira United will be aiming for three precious points on Saturday as they take on neighbours Sliema Wanderers. The Maroons returned to winning ways thanks to a 3-1 win over Naxxar after dropping four important points in draws with Senglea and Mosta. On the other hand, the Wanderers lost narrowly to Floriana. A defeat which brought to an end a good run of four consecutive wins. The Blues are currently sixth on 20 points.

For Sliema, Stefano Bianciardi and Jefferson Mateus de Assis Estacio are ruled out through suspension but Frank Temile will be back after serving a one-match ban.

Naxxar Lions vs Mosta, kick-off 16:00 at Hibernians Stadium
New Naxxar Lions coach Oliver Spiteri will be making his debut in the derby against Mosta – one of his former teams. The Lions lost five out of the last seven matches, losing 1-3 to Gzira last week, and are currently second from bottom. Mosta, on the other hand, returned to winning ways last week thanks to a 2-1 victory over Senglea. They are currently ninth on 14 points, eight ahead of Naxxar.

Omar Borg is set to start in goal for Naxxar as Christoph Nicht is suspended.