Blues eager to erase memories of City rout

Premier League leaders Valletta may have already cemented pole position ahead of the start of the Championship Pool but they are still expected to go into their second round match against Marsaxlokk with all guns blazing as they look to extend their unbeaten run to 12 matches.

Now installed as favourites for the title, Valletta (35 points) will be relishing the prospect of starting the second phase with a three-point lead over their nearest rivals but Marsaxlokk's rejuvenation in the last two months suggests a taxing evening for the Citizens.

Marsaxlokk will be keen on winning in order to claw back the three-point gap on the Citizens but the chance to redeem themselves for the 7-0 humiliation they suffered to the same opponents in the first round will be of greater motivation for Brian Talbot's men.

Valletta coach Paul Zammit was delighted that his team secured top spot after their 2-1 win over Birkirkara on Monday but warned that only a victory today would earn his side a three-point cushion at the top come the start of the Championship Pool when the points of the teams will be halved.

"This is a direct clash against a potential title contender," Zammit said. "We have already reached our target of ensuring top spot at the end of the first phase but this does not mean that now we can sit back and relax.

"It's important that we start our Championship Pool campaign with an advantage over the remaining teams and this can only be achieved by winning our match against Marsaxlokk.

"Only a victory would give us a three-point lead over the second-placed teams."

Defender Josef Mifsud is back in the frame for Valletta after suspension kept him out of the game against Birkirkara. No injuries were reported after Monday's win but Zammit is concerned about the fitness of Kenneth Scicluna and Ian Zammit who were down with flu during the week. Midfielder Claude Mattocks is unavailable as he has been provisionally suspended by the Malta FA after a failed dope test.

Zammit is bracing himself for a difficult match tonight.

"On paper, Marsaxlokk are one of the best teams," Zammit said. "They will be fired up to beat us for two main reasons... firstly, they want to erase the memories of their 7-0 defeat in the corresponding first round match and secondly, they are eyeing victory to equal our points' tally."

Marsaxlokk, whose last match against Sliema ended goalless, are not at full strength today. Argentine striker Julio Alcorse must serve a one-match ban after his sending-off against the Wanderers and Malcolm Licari is recovering from a cartilage operation.

Peter Hartshorne, Marsaxlokk's assistant coach, is confident that the 7-0 defeat to Valletta will not weigh heavily on the players' minds.

"We're looking forward to playing against the leaders," Hartshorne said. "Having attained our declared objective of a place in the Championship Pool, we are now aiming to keep playing well and challenge for qualification to a UEFA club competition.

"The second round match against Valletta inevitably brings back memories of the 7-0 defeat in the first round. We also had another bad result against Hamrun but the players reacted to these setbacks in a professional manner and the team has moved on."

Stripes need point

Needing a point to ascertain themselves of a place in the Championship Pool, Birkirkara will be aware that they have little margin for error in their match against Floriana this evening.

Having missed the chance to accomplish their mission with a game to spare after a 2-1 upset to Valletta, Birkirkara could be left to contemplate a winner-takes-all decider if they finish empty-handed this evening.

The permutations surrounding the fight for the last two berths in the Championship Pool are three-fold. Birkirkara, currently on 26 points, will make sure of their presence in the elite pool if they win or draw today, whatever the outcome of Monday's match between Hibs and Hamrun.

A defeat would not end Birkirkara's chances as the Stripes would still qualify if Hamrun (26 points) win or draw against Hibs (24).

If Birkirkara were to lose today and Hibs beat Hamrun, then a decider between the Stripes and the Spartans would be needed to determine the sixth team in the top six.

John Buttigieg, the Birkirkara coach, will urge his players to allay the lingering doubts and fears about their Championship Pool future by taking the point they need to nail their target.

Buttigieg is not expected to make significant changes to the team that started the match against Valletta.

As far as Floriana are concerned, they booked their place in the comfort zone with two matches to spare. The Greens have been on the receiving end in the last two matches, losing 3-2 to Msida and 2-1 to Hamrun.

Coach Danilo Doncic will doubtless call on his players to stop the slide by avoiding defeat against Birkirkara. Clifton Ciantar is set to return after serving a one-match ban but Christian Caruana is ruled out by suspension.

First round result: Birkirkara vs Floriana 3-2.

Today (National Stadium)
6 p.m. Floriana vs Birkirkara
8 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Valletta

Monday (National Stadium)
6 p.m. Mqabba vs Msida St Joseph
8 p.m. Hibernians vs Hamrun Spartans