Birkirkara, Hibernians out to make inroads

The spotlight this weekend switches back to the quest for the Premier League title after a three-week pause during which the Malta national teams were involved in international matches in Croatia and, more recently, the four quarter-finals of the FA Trophy were played.

Another significant step towards their third league crown on the trot is Sliema Wanderers' exclusive objective ahead of their fourth and final match for this season against Old-Firm rivals Floriana this afternoon.

Valletta, five points away from the leaders, will be seeking to pull themselves out of their latest slump, one that threatens to sour their erstwhile positive campaign.

Out of the FA Trophy after a 4-2 upset to Marsaxlokk last Sunday, the Citizens' title chances have gone from bright to faint following back-to-back defeats to Sliema Wanderers and Birkirkara.

For the second time in less than a week, Valletta clash with Marsa-xlokk fully conscious that failure on their part to collect maximum points would only crush their title hopes and compound their bid to hold on to second place.

Birkirkara and Hibernians are the other two candidates for the runners-up spot and automatic entry into the UEFA Cup. Their head-to-head confrontation tomorrow (kick-off 5 p.m.) is stirring substantial interest as the outcome will surely have some impact on their aspirations to finish second.

The contest for the second-best position in the Premier League seems to have taken over as the main theme of the Premier League as Sliema's five-point lead has reduced the title race into a procession.

Excitement rarely is a missing ingredient when Birkirkara and Hibernians cross paths and tomorrow's match is not expected to be different.

"The last five matches are direct encounters for teams gunning for a place in Euro competitions next season," Stephen Azzopardi, the Birkirkara coach, told The Times.

"We still have a slim chance of challenging for the title but second place is definitely a more realistic target at this stage. It's a three-team fight between Valletta, Hibs and us."

Azzopardi is unable to send out his best formation due to fresh injuries to Precious Monye, Michael Galea and Roderick Briffa.

Last Saturday, Birkirkara needed two goals in the last five minutes to edge out Floriana in the FA Trophy quarter-finals. That victory prolonged their unbeaten run to nine matches.

Third in the standings, seven points behind Sliema, Birkirkara cannot be happy about their season but Azzopardi is buoyed by his team's showings of late.

"Saturday's win over Floriana was our ninth positive result in a row," he said.

"Performance wise, we have done well in the Championship Pool but we were not helped by circumstances during some matches, especially against Hibs when we had our goalkeeper sent off early in the game and with that last-gasp penalty we suffered against Sliema.

"My hope is for the team to cut a good figure in the last month of the season. We will try to win as many points as possible to improve our position in the table and be ready to capitalise if Sliema suffer a blip. "

Judging by their results of late, Birkirkara should have a slight edge over a Hibs team struggling to rediscover the sparkling form they showed before the start of the second phase.

Last Saturday, Hibs' hopes of winning the FA Trophy disappeared when they crashed to Msida St Joseph. Nonetheless, Azzopardi predicts another strenuous outing for his team tomorrow.

"Birkirkara vs Hibs are always keenly-contested affairs," the Bir-kirkara mentor remarked.

"We both try to play open, attacking football and our similar approach increases the likelihood of entertaining fare. Hibs may not be passing through a bright patch but they will be tough opponents."

Robert Gatt, the Hibs coach, attached a crucial tag to his side's impending meeting with Birkirkara.

"Victory is a must for us, especially after our exit from the FA Trophy," Gatt said.

"Going out at the quarter-finals stage has been our biggest disappointment so far."

Suspension has deprived Gatt of two key players as defender Adrian Pulis was given a one-match ban after the heart-breaking 1-1 draw against Sliema and Malta U-21 striker Terrence Scerri serves the last game of a two-match suspension.

Antoine Zahra is doubtful with injury.

Echoing Azzopardi's views on the tradition of Hibs-Birkirkara matches, Gatt expects another pulsating 90 minutes.

"It's going to be balanced because there is little difference between these two teams," Gatt said.

"This season, we have won one game each with the last clash ending in a 1-1 draw."

Gatt's assessment of his side's progress in the Championship Pool is also similar to the one made by his Birkirkara counterpart as he also blames circumstances for his side's failure to maintain their challenge.

"Our performance in the second phase has not been as bad as it might seem. Apart from that disappointing defeat to Valletta, we figured in three draws where we conceded equalisers in the last moments.

"Our title hopes are now as good as over but we will do our best to finish second," Gatt said.

Previous results - Birkirkara vs Hibs 2-1, 2-4, 1-1.

The other matches...

Valletta vs Marsaxlokk (today at 3 p.m., National Stadium).
Valletta's season is in danger of disintegrating unless they return to their best form in the last five league matches, starting with their clash against Marsaxlokk who bundled them out of the FA Trophy last weekend.

Sturdy midfielder Keith Fenech is suspended for the Citizens but otherwise coach J.J. Aquilina has no selection problems. The City mentor could wield his axe and make some changes to his formation after Valletta lost their last three matches.

Marsaxlokk will be determined to maintain their progress after going three matches without a defeat in league and cup.

Coach Atanas Marinov must make at least two changes from the team that beat Valletta 4-2 as Trevor Templeman is suspended and left-back Carlo Mamo has a muscle strain.

Previous results - Valletta vs Marsaxlokk 3-1, 1-1, 4-1.

Sliema W. vs Floriana (today at 5 p.m., National Stadium).
Champions Sliema Wanderers will be confident of moving closer to their third consecutive league title with a victory over old-time rivals Floriana who have not won in nine games.

Joe Brincat is still recovering from a knee injury but otherwise Edward Aquilina, the Sliema coach, has no injury worries.

Orosco Anonam is in line for a first appearance in more than a month after recovering from a groin problem while Brian Said and Jeffrey Chetcuti will resume their place in the heart of defence after missing the 3-2 cup win against Mqabba.

Floriana's hopes of halting their losing streak against the Wanderers are not helped by the injury sustained by Mauro Brincat in Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Birkirkara in the cup.

Defender Steve Wellman is ruled out by suspension and dynamic midfielder Andre Rocha Da Silva is an injury doubt.

Previous results - Sliema vs Floriana 2-0, 1-0, 2-1.

Msida SJ vs St Patrick (tomorrow at 3 p.m., National Stadium).
Riding on a crest of a wave after their progress to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy, Msida St Joseph will have more reason to celebrate if they overcome the challenge of St Patrick.

Now favourites to avoid the drop, Msida will all but secure their top-flight status with a victory over the Saints.

On the other hand, three points for St Patrick would throw the relegation issue wide open. At present, Bobby Giorev's team are second-from-bottom in the Relegation Pool, four points behind Msida and six adrift of Pietà Hotspurs.

Mario Petrone is expected to name an unchanged line-up following his side's 1-0 defeat of Hibs.

Giorev is concerned about the fitness of skipper Robert Cassar but otherwise all the other players should be available for selection.

Previous results - Msida SJ vs St Patrick 3-1, 2-3.

Standings

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Sliema W.	23	16	5	2	42	19	32
Valletta	23	14	3	6	51	32	27
Birkirkara	23	11	8	4	53	30	25
Hibs	23	11	9	3	40	29	24
Marsaxlokk	23	8	6	9	38	34	17
Floriana	23	6	7	10	23	30	13
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Pietà Hotspurs	21	6	5	10	36	36	14
Msida St Joseph	20	5	7	8	30	35	12
St Patrick	20	3	3	14	19	46	08
Lija Athletic	21	3	1	17	11	52	07

Note: Msida have been deducted two points