Major title clash today, relegation battle in full swing

BOV Premier League 2023/24 Match Day 25 Preview

Gudja United v Sliema Wanderers (Today, Tony Bezzina Stadium, 14h)
Three more points lined-up by Sliema Wanderers now that top three is ensured and Wanderers are back representing Malta in European competitions next season. They face the bottom side Gudja United who have been relegated long ago, and in sight they already have next season back in the second tier after five successful years competing at the highest level. Three draws in their last three outings for Sliema Wanderers, not the results they wanted but that eventually sufficed to reach their prime season objective.
Remarkably, Sliema’s 2-0 win over Gudja in the first round of this campaign was the very first victory of the Wanderers over the Gudjans in the seven previous MPL games played, with Gudja winning four and two draws. While Sliema coach Paul Zammit can field his best eleven, bar last-minute injuries, Renzo Kerr-Cumbo need to do with two influential players as both Matias Muchardi and Mirko Esposito, who played all games of Gudja from the start, are suspended for this match.

Floriana v Hamrun Spartans (Today, National Stadium, 15h)
The biggest game of the season, the title showdown and what a gripping encounter is expected between the two most powerful sides of the campaign. They go toe to toe in these nail-biting 90 minutes with the league title at stake. Hamrun Spartans could secure their 10th league title with a win, while a draw would be favourable result as well for the holding Malta Champions. However, Floriana can once again overtake their rivals at the summit if they manage to bounce back from their huge setback and the defeat to Marsaxlokk and clinch the all-important three points later today.
Hamrun could field their best starting eleven, with Emerson Marcelina and Roko Prsa back from suspension. Floriana will need to do without goalkeeper Georgi Kitanov, who bumped into his fourth yellow card of the season last weekend. A tactical battle is expected between two high quality coaches both coming from Italy, Luciano Zauri on one side to rival former World Champion with Italy in 2006 Mauro Camoranesi.
The reverse fixture in early January saw the Spartans clinch a 1-0 win at the death thanks to a Prsa tap-in who pounced in from keeper’s Kitanov blunder, to give the all-important three points to his side.
It will be the 199^th competitive clash in history between the two, who met for the first time 113 years ago, on 15 April 1911 in the National Ground Cup. Since this historic date, many breath-taking encounters have been played, but none as important as this one. It is to be noted that Hamrun are on an eleven consecutive unbeaten run against the Greens, a sequence which started on 18 August 2018 and produced seven Hamrun victories and four draws, including an FA Trophy match. The last time Floriana beat Hamrun was in a Premier League encounter played on 3 February 2018, when Juninho Cabral scored the only goal for the Irish.
It’s all to play for, all Malta will be following the biggest game of the season, it’s the eagerly awaited Floriana versus Hamrun Spartans! 

Hibernians v Marsaxlokk (Today, Tony Bezzina Stadium, 16h15)
Six points separate the teams who have been neck and neck this campaign in their pursuit for a European spot. Marsaxlokk seem to now have the edge, their famous 1-0 weekend win over Floriana has almost secured fourth place for them, a point will mathematically ensure they will finish fourth. For Hibernians it has been a disappointing campaign all-together, for the second season running they have to miss European participation, which is a big blow to the Paolites who have established some neat results in Europe this decade. A victory over the seasiders is a must, but then play Hamrun Spartans on the last match day of the season, while Marsaxlokk meet Balzan. Nothing is impossible, but this is a very tough prospect for Hibernians, who need to do without flank defender Binu Bairam due to the accumulated yellow cards rule. Marsaxlokk have Nigerian striker Sunday Akinbule missing for the same reason, the player who scored the decisive goal against Floriana last weekend. While both teams played out a 1-1 draw in the revers fixture at the start of January this year, Hibernians last victory over Marsaxlokk dates from November 2011, a 2-0 victory in a Premier League fixture. They met in 40 competitive matches in history, with Hibernians winning 18, Marsaxlokk 12 and ten draws.

Naxxar Lions v Valletta (Tomorrow, National Stadium, 14h)
George Vella’s Naxxar made another step last weekend to safeguard their status, keeping Sliema Wanderers on a goalless draw. The Lions look to terminate their splendid season by winning at least a point tomorrow against Valletta, which would cement their place in next season’s Premier League.
However, Valletta need themselves no less than three points on the board to keep alive their hopes to avoid the drop and need nothing but a win. Last Sunday, at last, Valletta clinched a crucially important victory, a result that will surely propel them in their hunt to escape relegation. The spirits are high, the team is growing in confidence and ahead another difficult but doable task for technical staff made up of Juan Cruz Gill and Jesmond Zerafa to assist this group of players in achieving what looked like the impossible few weeks ago, also knowing they play bottom side Gudja United next weekend.
The first-round meeting between the sides saw Naxxar attain a valuable 2-1 win over the Lilywhites, their first victory over Valletta since 2013. It was in fact only the second ever win of the Lions over the former giants, who won no less than 36 of their 46 encounters with Naxxar.
While Valletta have no suspension issues, Naxxar all-timer Ryan-Gilmour Cassar will be missing in defence for the Lions as he needs to serve a one-match suspension.

Balzan v Mosta (Tomorrow, Tony Bezzina Stadium, 14h)
This is another interesting relegation clash as both teams are still fighting desperately to avoid the drop. The two established Premier Division sides have struggled immensely this season and are looking for one final push in order to get themselves in a favourable position on the last match day next weekend. The situation for Balzan has rather worsened following their 1-0 defeat to Valletta, the pressure on them is now mounting, also in view of the fact they are facing a team in high spirits following their unexpected but deserved 3-1 win over Hibernians last Sunday. A result that has pushed Mosta out of the relegation zone, at least for now, all evolving around results elsewhere in what is likely to be another heart beating weekend of Premier League action.
Balzan emerged winners in a 2-0-win result over Mosta in the reverse fixture. It will be the 45^th clash in history between the two, who have kept each other in perfect balance so far with 17 wins each and ten draws in the previous 44 competitive games at various levels.
Both sides have one player missing as Andre Fausto (Balzan) and Linus Tenebe of Mosta need to sit out a due to suspension.

Birkirkara v Sirens (Tomorrow, National Stadium, 16h15)
Another 90 minutes for the Stripes in their preparation for the IZIBET FA Trophy semifinal, with these draws will take place this weekend. They play against Sirens, which is an opportunity for Birkirkara to ensure fifth place. However, it will not be easy against a Sirens side who have recently improved and albeit getting the chop, will be coming for this match at the back of two wins on the bounce. Birkirkara will be looking to return to winning ways tomorrow after their goalless stalemate at the weekend against Gzira United.
A league 2-1 win for Birkirkara in early January over Sirens, equally balanced was the cup match a month later between the sides, that saw the Stripes only emerge 1-0 winners after extra-time. But in the previous eight competitive encounters, the St Paul’s Bay based side also have beaten Birkirkara twice, a 1-0 victory last season and an odd goal in five win 2021. Birkirkara won five encounters and one ended in a draw. Coaches Jose Borg and Steve D’Amato have at least no suspension issues for this clash.

Santa Lucia v Gzira United (Tomorrow, Tony Bezzina Stadium, 16h15)
One more direct clash in this incessant fight against the drop is the Santa Lucia versus Gzira United fixture, another clash of immense importance in the bottom half of the ranking. Santa Lucia have moved into a dire situation now following their heavy 4-1 defeat against Hamrun while the Maroons clinched a meaningful draw against Birkirkara pushing them further away from the relegation woes. The team of coach Andrew Cohen are not out of trouble completely though, perhaps another draw against the Saints could suffice, depending on the results elsewhere.
A completely different picture for the Lucians however, who must take the all-important three points home from this match to keep alive their hopes of staying up. Another 90 minutes of high intensity and drama between the sides is envisaged, in a reverse fixture earlier this year that saw Santa Lucia secure a 2-1 narrow but hugely important win over their opponents on Sunday, only their second victory over the Maroons in eight MPL encounters.
Brazilian flank defender Thaguinho (Gzira) and midfielder Gonzalo Virano for the Saints are missing for this match due to suspension.