Gzira eager to bounce back in derby

Gzira United will be all out to return to winning ways on Saturday as they take on neighbours Sliema Wanderers in one of the four matches in programme at the Centenary Stadium and the Hibernians Stadium.

In the other three matches, Santa Lucia take on Gudja United, Hamrun Spartans face Tarxien Rainbows and Mosta meet Senglea Athletic.

Sliema Wanderers vs Gzira United 14:00 Centenary Stadium

After losing two out of the last three matches, Gzira United will be hoping to return to winning ways as they take on a Sliema Wanderers side which lost their last three matches. The Blues share the second place from bottom with Santa Lucia and are therefore desperate for points. However, the Maroons, now led by new coach Paul Zammit, target the three points to move, at least temporarily, in second place. They are currently fourth on 28 points, six points behind Floriana.

Gzira will be without the suspended Rodolfo Soares.

In the first round, Gzira and Sliema shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Santa Lucia vs Gudja United 16:15 Centenary Stadium

Santa Lucia and Gudja seek precious points from a clash between two of the teams who were promoted from Division 1 last season. One point separates the two teams as Gudja share tenth place with Senglea while Santa Lucia share the second place from bottom with Sliema.

After losing to Mosta and Hibernians, Gudja earned a point in a draw with Hamrun and then reached the FA Trophy quarter-finals thanks to a 3-1 win over Victoria Hotspurs. Santa Lucia, on the other hand, earned four points from the last two matches thanks to a 2-2 draw with Valletta and a 2-1 win over Gzira. but were eliminated from the FA Trophy after losing 0-2 to Balzan.

Santa Lucia’s Camilo Escobar, Luis Riascos and Farid Zuniga and Gudja’s Juan Andres Bolanos are ruled out through suspension.

Gudja and Santa Lucia shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in the first round.

Hamrun Spartans vs Tarxien Rainbows 14:00 Hibernians Stadium

The Spartans failed to win any of their last eight matches, collecting five points in draws while Tarxien remain anchored at the bottom of the table with one point from fifteen matches. Hamrun, on the other hand, lie in the eighth place on the 19-point mark. They reached teh FA Trophy quarter-finals thanks to a 3-1 win over Swieqi.

The Spartans will be without the suspended Darren Borg and Clayton Failla.

In the first round, Hamrun defeated Tarxien 3-2.

Mosta vs Senglea Athletic 16:00 Hibernians Stadium

Mosta share the eighth place with Hamrun on 19 points, four ahead of Senglea who share the tenth place with Gudja. The Blues lost 0-2 to Sirens in their last league outing after claiming six points in wins over Gudja and Tarxien. They were eliminated from the FA Trophy after losing 1-2 to Birkirkara. Senglea, on the other hand, failed to win any of their last eight matches but are coming from three successive draws with Tarxien, Sirens and Birkirkara. They forced extra-time in the FA Trophy fourth round clash with Floriana but lost 0-2.

Mosta’s Gabriel Aquilina and Senglea’s Elvis Sakyi are ruled out through suspension.

In the first round, Senglea defeated Mosta 2-1.