The race for top spot in the Opening Round of the 360 Sports Malta Premier
League has entered a decisive stage with three teams sandwiched in between three points and eyeing crucial victories this weekend.
Birkirkara are currently leading the way on 28 points but back-to-back defeats to Floriana and Ħamrun Spartans have severely dented the Stripes’ charge to secure top spot in the Opening Round.
In fact, Stefano De Angelis’ men have seen their lead at the top reduced to just two points over Floriana with only four matches to go while Sliema Wanderers are lurking behind, just one point adrift of the Greens.
Birkirkara will be looking to stop the rot this evening when they take on Mosta at the National Stadium (kick-off: 6pm).
The Stripes have been struggling for results in recent weeks and have been a pale shadow of the team that dominated this year’s top-tier for much of the season.
Last week, Birkirkara were stunned by an injury-hit Ħamrun Spartans side in a match which saw the Stripes lack any sort of intensity in their play and in fact they struggled to create any danger to the Malta champions’ goal.
Coach De Angelis must have been working hard to help his players rediscover their hunger and ambition as they look to clinch three crucial points that would keep them ahead of Floriana and Sliema Wanderers ahead of the decisive final weeks of the campaign.
Skipper Kurt Zammit, who was an unused substitute, will be pushing for a starting berth after fully recovering from a dislocated shoulder.
Mosta, on the other hand, will still be reeling from last week’s heart-breaking defeat to Floriana.
The Blues put on a very strong challenge to the Greens and had a glorious chance to secure a stunning victory when they were awarded a late penalty. However, Kone blasted his effort from the spot over the bar.
That turned out to be a costly miss as Jake Grech punished Mosta with a last-gasp winner.
No doubt, Mosta will be trying to put on another strong showing against the vulnerable-looking Stripes to prove that they fully deserved their place in the top six.
Sliema Wanderers will be ready to pounce on any Birkirkara slip-up when they face a tricky clash against the Spartans.
The Blues come into the match on the back of an impressive victory over Hibernians that kept the team well in the hunt for at least a top-two finish.
Coach Paul Zammit will surely have been pleased with his team’s clinical performance against the Paolites but will surely warn his players not to underestimate an under-strenght Ħamrun Spartans side, particularly after their eye-catching win over Birkirkara last weekend.
Spartans coach Alessandro Zinnari was delighted with the character shown by his players last weekend but will be seriously concerned by the continuous growing list in
his squad which has left him with a very small squad of players.
Roko Prsa is out for three months after picking up an injury against Birkirkara while striker Shaisen Attard is unlikely to feature after suffering a knee injury after scoring against the Stripes.
Ryan Camenzuli is unlikely to be available for tonight’s clash but on a more positive note, defensive duo Steve Borg and Sven Xerri could be involved in the match after returning to first-team training.
Floriana will be looking to preserve their unbeaten record and keep up the pressure on Birkirkara when they face Hibernians tomorrow.
Darren Abdilla’s team have been showing great character in recent weeks and will be determined to maintain their impressive charge against an inconsistent Hibernians side.
Branko Nisevic’s Paolites have been blowing hot and cold for much of this season and the Serbian coach will be hoping his players produce a timely reaction against the Greens as they look to at least preserve a top-four placing at the end of the Opening Round.
In the Bottom Six, Gżira United and Marsaxlokk will fancy their hopes of continuing to distance themselves from the last two spots in the standings.
The Maroons will be seeking a second successive win under new coach Giovanni Tedesco when they face Naxxar Lions.
While Gżira will fancy their chances to take all three points, they still be wary of the threat posed by the Lions who looked a rejuvenated side that eased past Melita and move outside of the relegation zone.
Marsaxlokk, on the other hand, will be up against a Melita side who will be desperate for the three points to stay clear of second-bottom Balzan.
Balzan face a must-win clash against Żabbar St Patrick on Sunday.
The Reds need to beat the Saints if they are to keep alive their ambitions of avoiding the bottom two places in the standings.
