Precious points at stake in battle for UEFA Europa Conference League spots

Precious points will be at stake as Gzira United take on Birkirkara and Hamrun Spartans face Gudja United in two matches from the BOV Premier League Top Six final round at the National Stadium on Sunday. Meanwhile at the Tony Bezzina Stadium, Valletta face Sliema Wanderers in the Play-Out final round.

Birkirkara are currently third on 39 points, seven behind second-placed Floriana, followed by Hamrun Spartans on 38, Gzira United 36 and Gudja United 29.

At the National Stadium, kick-off at 15:00, Gzira United cross swords with Birkirkara.

The Maroons are coming from three successive wins, defeating Gudja, Sirens and Floriana and therefore eye another win which would put them on level points with the Stripes. Meanwhile, after dropping seven points in the last three matches of the second round in a defeat to Santa Lucia and draws with Sliema and Valletta, Birkirkara returned to winning ways last week, defeating Gudja United 3-0.

Birkirkara defeated Gzira 1-0 in the second round following a 1-1 draw in the first.

In the second match at the National Stadium, kick-off at 18:15, Hamrun Spartans start as firm favourites to take the three points as they take on Gudja United.

The Spartans defeated Santa Lucia, Sliema and Hibernians in their last three matches and are unbeaten in five matches. Gudja, on the other hand, won just one match from the last four league matches, against Mosta, losing to Floriana, Gzira and Birkirkara.

Hamrun defeated Gudja 3-1 in the first round but the second round clash ended in a 1-0 win for Gudja.

Sun 10-Apr-2022Gzira United FC vs Birkirkara FC15:00National Stadium
Sun 10-Apr-2022Gudja United FC vs Hamrun Spartans FC18:15National Stadium

Meanwhile at the Tony Bezzina Stadium, kick-off at 16:00, Valletta will be hoping to move a step closer to securing their Premier League status with a win as they take on bottom-placed Sliema Wanderers.

Lying on 29 points, they lead the way in the Play-Out. They are followed by Mosta and Sirens on 28, Santa Lucia 26, Balzan 23 and Sliema Wanderers 15. The bottom two teams will be relegated. Therefore a win would put the Citizens just one point away from making sure of avoiding relegation.

Valletta are unbeaten in four matches after a win over Sliema and two draws with Mosta and Birkirkara before defeating Sirens 3-0 in the opening match from the Play-Out final round. The Wanderers, on the other hand, returned to winning ways last week, defeating Mosta 1-0. However a defeat on Sunday would condemn them to playing in the Challenge League next season.

In the first round, a win for Sliema over Valletta was overturned by the MFA Protests Board with the Citizens winning the second round clash 1-0.

Sun 10-Apr-2022Valletta FC vs Sliema Wanderers FC16:00Tony Bezzina Stadium