Leaders Floriana are in for a difficult test on Sunday as they take on neighbours Valletta at the National Stadium, kick-off at 14:00, in this weekend’s big match from the BOV Premier League.
The Greens enjoy a four-point lead over second-placed Hibernians and five ahead of the Citizens and therefore Sunday’s clash could play an important role on which way the title will be going this year.
Floriana lost just one match this season – losing 0-1 to Birkirkara last month. They won ten matches, dropping another eight points in draws. Valletta, on the other hand, are unbeaten in nine matches. They won eight matches and drawn five, losing to Santa Lucia and Gzira in the earlier part of the season. In the FA Trophy, Valletta eliminated Sirens with a 4-1 win while Floriana needed extra-time to beat Senglea Athletic 2-0.
Making his debut for Floriana could be Italian attacking midfielder Stefano D’Agostino but the other new recruit Marcelo Dias is ruled out through suspension together with Tiago Adan Fonseca. Valletta, on the other hand, could hand Jhony Cano his first start after making his debut in the FA Trophy clash with Sirens.
In the first round, Valletta and Floriana share the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
Meanwhile in the second match, kick-off at 16:00, Hibernians take on Sirens.
The Paolites are unbeaten in eight matches, defeating Gzira, Gudja and Tarxien and eliminating Pembroke Athleta from the FA Trophy thanks to a 4-0 win.
Sirens, on the other hand, claimed four points from the last two matches thanks to a draw with Senglea and a win over Mosta. They are currently joint-fourth on 28 points, two behind the Paolites. Sirens were eliminated from the FA Trophy after losing 1-4 to Valletta.
Hibernians could have in squad new signings Christopher Edafe Uzeh, Edison Luis dos Santos, Jorge Santos Silva and Simone Mancini. Sirens, on the other hand, could not count on Romarinho as he serves a one-match ban but Ricardinho is set to make his league debut after turning out for the St. Paul’s Bay side in the FA Trophy.