Valletta, Floriana cross swords in derby

Rivals Valletta and Floriana will be all out to take the three points on Sunday as they cross swords in the derby – one of Sunday’s big matches at the National Stadium.

The Citizens are coming from two back-to-back goalless draws with Hibernians and Hamrun Spartans and are therefore eager to return to winning ways. A win which would ensure they re-join Balzan on top of the BOV Premier League table following the latter’s narrow win over Senglea Athletic on Saturday.

However Floriana, who are the only unbeaten team in the BOV Premier League, know that a win over their rivals would enable them to leapfrog Valletta and Gzira to move second, one point behind Balzan and two ahead of the Citizens and the Maroons. The Greens won their last three games against Naxxar, Senglea and Sliema.

Meanwhile in the first match, Tarxien Rainbows take on Hibernians in another derby.

This is definitely a most difficult campaign for the Rainbows who made a complete overhaul of their squad this summer as they lie second from bottom on seven points and are coming from four consecutive defeats. On the other hand, the Paolites are currently sixth but a win over Tarxien would put them in third place on 24 points. They registered a narrow win over Birkirkara last week.

The Malta Football Association announced the following seating and traffic arrangements for the two BOV Premier League matches – Tarxien Rainbows vs Hibernians and Valletta vs Floriana – being played on Sunday.

The fans of Tarxien Rainbows, Hibernians and Floriana are encouraged to make their way to the National Stadium from the Mosta area (Durumblat Road). The Valletta supporters are encouraged to pass through Attard or the Crafts Village area to reach the National Stadium.

The allocation of stands was decided by draw in the presence of representatives of the four clubs involved in Sunday’s matches.

The decision to use the Millennium D sector to house the supporters of one of the clubs was taken for security reasons and followed discussions with the Police.