Balzan face Hibs test

Balzan will be aiming for a sixth consecutive win on Saturday as they take on Hibernians in one of the four BOV Premier League matches in programme at the National Stadium and the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

Hamrun Spartans face Birkirkara, Senglea Athletic meet Naxxar Lions while Floriana take on Lija Athletic.

Hamrun Spartans vs Birkirkara, kick-off 14:00 at National Stadium
Hamrun Spartans hope to get another positive result as they take on Birkirkara in a clash between two teams lying in a mid-table position. The Spartans are currently seventh and enjoy a four-point lead over the Stripes. Hamrun lost just one out of the last five matches, defeating Lija 5-1 two weeks ago while Birkirkara returned to winning ways in their last league outing with a 2-0 win over St. Andrews after suffering back-to-back defeats to Balzan and Hibernians. In the FA Trophy, Hamrun defeated Gzira 1-0 while Birkirkara beat Santa Lucia 5-0.

The Spartans could not count on the suspended Lydon Micallef.

Balzan vs Hibernians, kick-off 16:00 at National Stadium
A win is a must for Balzan to make sure of staying on top the BOV Premier League table but Hibernians will be all out to claim the three points to join them in first or second place. Balzan are unbeaten in ten matches, winning their last five league games and beating Gudja United 4-1 in the FA Trophy. Hibs, on the other hand, are unbeaten in the last four league matches and eliminated Victoria Hotspurs 2-1 in the FA Trophy. In their last league outings, Balzan defeated Senglea 1-0 while Hibs beat Tarxien 3-0.

Andrei Agius is ruled out for Hibernians as he serves a one-match ban.

Senglea Athletic vs Naxxar Lions, kick-off 14:00 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
After beating rivals Mosta 2-0 in the derby and surprisingly defeating holders Floriana 3-1 in the FA Trophy, Naxxar Lions, now led by Oliver Spiteri, hope to make it three wins in a row as they take on Senglea Athletic who are coming from three consecutive defeats and elimination from the FA Trophy at the hands of Valletta. Senglea failed to win any of their last eight matches and new coach Paolo Favaretto continues to chase his first win. The two teams share the tenth place on nine points.

Floriana vs Lija Athletic, kick-off 16:15 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
After a double upset in the derby against Valletta and the FA Trophy clash with Naxxar Lions, Floriana will be all out to return to winning ways as they take on bottom-placed Lija Athletic. Now led by Nicolas Chiesa as their new coach following the resignation of Giovanni Tedesco, the Greens, who were the only unbeaten side in the Premier League before the clash with Valletta, cannot afford any result other than a win in their bid to keep the pace with the leading teams.

Lija, who could not count on the suspended Abubakar Bello-Osagie and Aiden Galea, will only try their best to make life difficult for the Greens following a heavy 1-5 defeat to Hamrun in their last league outing.