Hibernians seek win to extend unbeaten run

Leaders Hibernians will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run as they take on Sirens in one of the two BOV Premier League matches in programme on Tuesday.

At the Centenary Stadium, kick-off at 17:00, bottom-placed Sliema Wanderers face neighbours Gzira United.

The Wanderers are still chasing their first win after twelve matches, collecting their four points in draws and lie no less than seven points behind Gudja, Mosta and Santa Lucia. They lost their last three games with identical 0-2 scores to Birkirkara, Hamrun Spartans and Floriana and are now desperate for a win against a team which has failed to impress this season. In fact, the Maroons are currently eighth on 17 points. In their last two outings, they lost 1-3 to Hibernians and were held in a 2-2 draw by Santa Lucia. A win on Tuesday could put them back on track in a battle for a top-six finish.

Gzira signed Croatian duo Marko Cosic and Antonio Pavic and are set to complete the signing of Matthew Gauci but Yuri Messias, Steve Borg and Justin Haber left the club while Martin Davis joined Sliema. The Wanderers, on the other hand, signed Raffaele Schiavi, Oscar Linton, Amadou Pape Samb and are expected to confirm the signing of Jean Carlos Cloth Goncalves. Sliema’s Kurt Shaw and Gzira’s Luke Tabone and Jackson Mendoza are ruled out through suspension.

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

Meanwhile at the Tony Bezzina Stadium, kick-off at 19:00, Hibernians host Sirens.

The Paolites could regain a comfortable eight point lead on top the BOV Premier League table should they beat Sirens. They won four out of the last five matches, earning 31 points so far from thirteen matches, only dropping points in four draws. Sirens, on the other hand, are currently seventh on eighteen points. They returned to winning ways in their last outing following some mixed results which included wins over Birkirkara and Floriana, a heavy defeat to Balzan, defeats to Hamrun and Gzira and a draw with Gudja.

This January, Sirens lost Fernando Javier Brandan but they signed Henrique Marcelino Motta and Carlos Flores. Hibernians, on the other hand, signed Joseph Zerafa but have to deal with the injuries of Bjorn Kristensen and Gabi Izquier and the unavailability of goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone who is on international duty with Guinea in the African Nations Cup. Ferdinando Apap serves a one-match ban.

In the first round, Hibernians defeated Sirens 3-1.

Tue 18-Jan-2022Sliema Wanderers FC vs Gzira United FC17:00Centenary Stadium
Tue 18-Jan-2022Hibernians FC vs Sirens FC19:00Tony Bezzina Stadium