Valletta seek sole leadership as they take on Birkirkara

Champions Valletta will be all out to claim the three points on Sunday as they take on rivals Birkirkara, kick-off at 16:00, in one of the two BOV Premier League matches in programme at the National Stadium.

Following Floriana’s shock 1-2 defeat to Gudja United, Valletta could move three points clear should they beat Birkirkara. The Citizens are unbeaten in eleven matches, claiming maximum points from the last three matches against Sliema, Floriana and Balzan.

Birkirkara, however, eye another three precious points in their bid to move further up in the table after winning three out of the last five matches to move sixth. Former Valletta midfielder Roderick Briffa is ruled out through suspension.

In the first round, the two teams shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw.

Meanwhile in the first match, kick-off at 14:00, Balzan take on Gzira United in a clash between two teams who have disappointed so far.

Gzira are currently fifth on 29 points, six behind the two joint-leaders but collected just one point from the last three matches after losing to Santa Lucia and Sliema, holding Floriana in a 2-2 draw. Balzan, on the other hand, share the seventh place with Hamrun and Mosta. They won just two out of the last seven matches, also collecting just one point from the last three matches thanks to a draw with Birkirkara, losing to Floriana and Valletta.

Balzan will be without the suspended Kristijan Naumovski and Uros Ljubomirac.

In the first round, Gzira defeated Balzan 2-0.