Tough test for Zebbug, hunt for Top 8 spot in full swing

BOV Challenge League Match Day 7 Preview

Lija Athletic v Marsa (23.11.24, Victor Tedesco Stadium, 14h)
The last international break of 2024 is over which means also the Challenge League clubs will be back in action tomorrow and Sunday. Lija and Marsa will have the honour to open proceedings, with the latter being the favourite to bring home the three points. So far, both teams have shown glimpses of their potential this season, and this match could be pivotal in shaping their respective campaigns.

With four points from six games, Lija are struggling but should welcome back striker Rundell Winchester and box-to-box midfielder Courage Omoruanzoje, who have been both working hard on their fitness and should be available to appear in the last 30 minutes or so. The team of coach Joe Galea has been inconsistent, showing flashes of brilliance followed by underwhelming performances. They have a solid midfield unit capable of controlling the tempo, but converting chances into goals has been their Achilles' heel so far this season.

On the other hand, Marsa has had a steady season so far, with a mix of three wins, two draws and a defeat against Tarxien, keeping them in contention for a strong finish. Their attack has been spearheaded by excellent Brazilian winger Robinho and veteran forward Lydon Micallef, who thrive on quick transitions and set pieces together with the unpredictable Renan Bigode. However, defensive lapses have occasionally cost them valuable points.

It will be the 52^nd competitive encounter between the two, the first one being played in the 3^rd Division in 1949. In the last two seasons, Marsa had the better of Lija in the Challenge League with three consecutive victories, as Lija failed to find the net in any of them (3-0, 1-0, 2-0). Lija lastly beat Marsa on 2 April 2019 (4-1), which was a 2^nd tier game as well. 


Sirens v Swieqi United (23.11.24, Centenary Stadium, 16h)
The clash between Sirens and Swieqi United could be described as a mid-table encounter, with Swieqi on sixth place with 11 points and Sirens on a two-points distance at rank 8. A victory for Swieqi is essential to keep up with the top teams while a victory for Sirens could mean a giant step towards a Top 8 finish.

Swieqi United has shown resilience this season, with their organized defence and disciplined midfield, let by the industrious Alan Schembri-Wismayer, being key strengths. They will look to capitalize on the constant threat of Ghanian striker Blessing Brafo to secure the vital points. We expect that Swieqi will adopt a structured approach, aiming to frustrate the Sirens attack, while the Blues will focus on high pressing and quick transitions and hope that Brazilian winger Gilberto Carrara will display his usual shape through darting runs throughout the match.

Quite incredibly, Swieqi have never beaten Sirens in any competitive match. In fact, Sirens won 10 of the previous 14 encounters, with the other four ending in a draw. A Swieqi victory will be therefore historical. During season 2018/19 the two met last, with Sirens winning the 1^st round 5-0 and the reverse fixture by a single goal scored by Marquinho.


Tarxien Rainbows v Zebbug Rangers (23.11.24, Victor Tedesco Stadium, 16h30)
The late VTS kick off will be the 48^th clash in history between high-flyers Tarxien Rainbows and lowly Zebbug Rangers, in a matchup that pits one of the league’s strongest sides against a team fighting to find form. Having lost just one game, the Rainbows are in third position while Zebbug have collected four points and clearly struggle. The match will be the official senior debut for new coach Kevin Ellul, who replaced Rodney Bugeja a few weeks back at the helm of the Zebbug technical team.

Tarxien have been in scintillating form this season, with their potent attack and solid defence making them one of the top contenders. The team of coach Jacques Scerri will be looking to maintain their impressive momentum and add another win to their tally. In contrast, Zebbug Rangers have endured a difficult campaign so far, with inconsistent performances leaving them near the bottom of the standings. The Rangers therefore need to dig deep and deliver a disciplined display to stand a chance against tough opponents.

Last season, the two crossed swords on three occasions. The regular phase league game ended in a goalless draw, while Tarxien beat Zebbug beat 3-1 in the Relegation pool. In December last year, Zebbug managed to kick the Rainbows out of the FA Trophy with a 2-1 Preliminary Round victory.


Mgarr United v Pieta’ Hotspurs (23.11.24, Centenary Stadium, 18h30)
An exciting clash awaits on Saturday night as Mgarr United, steadily improving with each game, face off against Pieta' Hotspurs, currently sitting unexpectedly in 2nd place in the standings thanks to their excellent start of five victories in their first six league games.

Mgarr United, who signed US striker Ahinga Selemani (ex-Gudja United) earlier this week, have shown remarkable progress this season under coach Brian Spiteri, with their cohesive play and growing confidence earning them crucial points. They aim to continue their upward trajectory by testing their mettle against one of the league’s top performers.

On the other hand, Pieta’ Hotspurs have been the surprise package of the season, consistently delivering strong performances so far to secure their lofty position. Known for their attacking flair and disciplined defence, the Blues look to maintain their momentum and keep the pressure on league leaders Valletta. However, coach Manuel Caruana needs to find a solution for the suspended Zean Leonardi, as the Malta Under-21 defender is ruled out for this game due to his red card against Senglea.

In their previous ten mutual encounters, Mgarr managed to beat Pieta’ just once, which was way back during the 1983/84 season in the 3^rd Division (1-0). Six were won by the Hotspurs, three clashes ended in a draw. Only twice the two met in the second tier, with Pieta beating Mgarr on both occasions during the 2021/22 season (3-0, 2-0).


Senglea Athletic v Valletta (24.11.24, Centenary Stadium, 13h30)
A high-stakes encounter awaits on Sunday in the first of three matches at the Centenary Stadium as Senglea Athletic take on league leaders and title favourites Valletta in what promises to be a thrilling contest.

Although losing their last three games, Senglea Athletic have an excellent squad this season with plenty of experience and are generally expected to pick up the points quickly. The team of coach Robert Cassar could therefore thrive in big games and will relish the chance to test themselves against the table-toppers. A draw could give them the confidence they need, while an unexpected win could even reaffirm their credentials as genuine promotion contenders. Much to play for therefore.

Valletta, however, have been the benchmark all season. Sitting at the summit of the standings, they have showcased consistent dominance, blending attacking flair with defensive solidity. The depth in quality of Thane Micallef’s squad, and experience, makes them the clear favourites as the Lilywhites will be eager to extend their lead.

The Cottonera old-timers still remember that classic 2-1 victory over Valletta in 1981 in the Premier Division, their only victory over the Citizens in history of Maltese football. It is however no surprise that Valletta won 14 of the previous 17 encounters against the Athletic, the last one during season 2020/21. Can Senglea pull off an upset, or will Valletta continue their march towards glory? Fans won’t want to miss it.


Zurrieq v Mtarfa (24.11.24, Centenary Stadium, 16h)
The second Centenary Stadium kick-off on Sunday will be one between Żurrieq taking on bottom-placed Mtarfa in a clash where both teams have much to play for, albeit for different reasons.

After a challenging start to the season, Żurrieq have found their rhythm and are steadily climbing the table. Their recent performances have been marked by improved cohesion and attacking sharpness, making them clear favourites heading into this match. The team of coaching tandem Frans Cassar and Mark Miller be looking to build on their momentum and secure another vital three points.

Mtarfa, meanwhile, are enduring a tough season, struggling to find form and points. Their defensive frailties and lack of consistency in attack have left them rooted at the bottom of the standings. Despite their struggles, the team of coach Ivan Casha will view this game as another opportunity to turn their season around and spark a late resurgence.

Also historically, all points at a Zurrieq victory as, from 12 previous encounters, Zurrieq won 11. The only occasion when Mtarfa had the better of the Reds was in 2010, a match in the 2^nd & 3^rd Division KO Cup (1-0). In the Challenge League, both rivals met just once, a 1-0 victory for Zurrieq in 2022, which was the last time they met in an official competitive game.


Fgura United v Gudja United (24.11.24, Victor Tedesco Stadium, 18h30)
Mid-table rivals Fgura United and Gudja United face off in the only Challenge League encounter at the VTS on Sunday, where both sides aim to solidify their positions and push further up the standings towards a Top Eight berth.

Despite their budget restrictions, Fgura United have had a season slightly below expectations so far, struggling to find consistency despite boasting a squad with significant potential. With their ambitions set higher at the start of the campaign, Kevin Vella’s boys view this match as an opportunity to kickstart a stronger run of form and reclaim their footing in the league.

Orosco Anonam’s Gudja United, by contrast, have been exceeding expectations this season, delivering disciplined performances that have earned them a respectable place in the standings. Although playing with a completely new squad, their ability to grind out results and capitalize on opponents' mistakes has been key to their success.

Although Gudja won 11 of the previous 25 competitive encounters (against 8 victories for Fgura), the Blues’ last victory over Fgura was an odd goal in five win obtained in 2015. In the last four games (2015/16 and 2017/18), Fgura beat Gudja twice and there were two draws.

Santa Lucia v St Andrews (24.11.24, Centenary Stadium, 18h30)
Two teams underperforming relative to expectations, St Andrews and Santa Lucia will meet in a crucial Sunday night clash, as both sides search for a way to turn their seasons around.

St Andrews, who were tipped as strong contenders for a higher finish this season, have struggled to find their best form. With a squad filled with quality and ambition, their disappointing results so far have raised questions about their ability to meet the favourable expectations placed upon them. The team will be desperate for a win to regain confidence and get their season back on track.

The Lucians, on the other hand, were widely expected to face a tough season, and so far, their results have largely confirmed those predictions. However, by beating Zebbug 2-1 in their last outing, they have shown moments of resilience, slowly building their game and proving difficult to break down at times. While they remain near the bottom of the table, they will be keen to prove that they can compete and make progress as the season unfolds. For this clash, they need to do without right back Dylan Mangion, who was sent packing during the game against the Rangers.

The Santa Lucia supporters will think with joy about their game with St Andrews in May 2019, a Premier/1^st Division Promotion/Relegation Play-Off which the Lucians won 4-1. The two met last in the 2^nd round of the 21/22 FA Trophy, which resulted into another victory for Santa Lucia (2-1). However, St Andrews won the first three meetings between the two in 1997 (2-0), 1998 (3-0) and 3-0 (2004), which sums of briefly all the five previous meetings the two Saints had.