Marsaxlokk look to earn their spurs against solid Pietà

Marsaxlokk have been grabbing all the headlines for their assaults on the transfer market but their performances have so far failed to earn the praise projected at the start of the season.

To a large extent, the plaudits many thought would be imparted on Marsaxlokk have been received by Pietà Hotspurs.

Their team has indeed been doing all the talking on the field of play, defying pre-season cynicism that the Hotspurs will spend the initial months of the Premier League languishing in the bottom half of the standings.

By contrast, the Premier League table paints a stark reality for Marsaxlokk whose fourth-from-bottom position leaves them in danger of missing out on a place in the Championship Pool.

Theirs is not an impossible mission, though, as with six matches left before the end of the second round Marsaxlokk can still make their way into the top six.

In this context, this afternoon's direct confrontation with Pietà - weather permitting - at the Hamrun Ground (kick-off 12.45 p.m.) borders on the decisive for Marsaxlokk.

For the Hotspurs, their meeting with Marsaxlokk is not a crucial tie but given their burning desire to enhance their growing reputation by ensuring a top-six finish with some weeks to spare, Ray Farrugia's troops will also be adamant to lower their opponents' colours.

Malcolm Licari, the former Pietà skipper who moved to Marsaxlokk in the close season, is impressed by the Hotspurs' form but says his team is undaunted by the prospect of facing it.

"This is a very important match for us," the 25-year-old Licari said. "Pietà are one of the most in-form teams in the league and they will certainly put up a tough challenge. We respect Pietà but we also believe victory is well within our reach."

Robert Kelly, the Marsaxlokk coach, has a full complement at his disposal for today's encounter. Perhaps, Kelly would prefer to take on the Hotspurs next year when his options are enhanced by the arrival of Daniel Bogdanovic, Minabo Asechemie and Ivan Casha.

Licari reckons that Marsaxlokk have a difficult task to secure a top-six berth at the end of the second round but he is optimistic. "The situation is not very encouraging but I'm confident we will reach our top-six objective. We still have to meet the other direct contenders, like Valletta and Floriana, in the next few weeks, so our chances are still very much alive," Licari said.

Critics have blamed Marsaxlokk's failure to keep up the pace with the leading lights of the Premier League on their lack of teamwork. The Marsaxlokk players and coaches have also been under increasing pressure to deliver the goods in view of club president Victor Sciriha's heavy investment in new talent.

"Maybe our unconvincing start is down to a combination of the players needing more time to gel as a team and the indirect pressure created by the club's intense transfer campaign," Licari remarked.

"We have to improve our cohesion and level of understanding on the pitch but I believe Marsaxlokk will eventually come good," Licari said.

Asked if a clash with his first love evokes any particular feelings, Licari said: "I have many friends at Pietà. The players, the coach and the committee... Pietà will always represent an important part of my career but these feelings are put aside when I step on the pitch. I am a Marsaxlokk player and I definitely don't want to lose against my former club," Licari said.

Licari's optimism ahead of today's clash is also echoed by Gareth Sciberras, the Pietà midfielder.

"A victory against Marsaxlokk would all but confirm our place in the Championship Pool," Sciberras said. "Marsaxlokk are difficult opponents but we have nothing to fear. Our good results and the character shown by all Pietà players provide good cause for optimism," Sciberras, 20, added.

Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia, the Pietà coach, will also take heart from the return of some key players who missed the 3-3 draw against Valletta last week.

Cleaven Frendo, widely regarded as one of Malta's brightest future talents, is available after serving a one-match suspension. Saviour Darmanin and Fransis Omam are also in line to make a comeback after recovering from injuries but there are still question marks over the fitness of Branko Nisevic and Digger Okonkwo.

Sciberras believes that Pietà have matured a lot as a team since the arrival of Farrugia as coach.

"Our improvement is the product of the hard work undertaken by everyone involved with Pietà, especially since Farrugia took charge of the team," Sciberras said. "The coach is an excellent motivator and his positive attitude has helped to lift our self-belief. We have become more confident in our abilities and we know we can reach our European target this year if we pull together and maintain our commitment," Sciberras said.

First round result - Pietà H. vs Marsaxlokk 1-1.

Msida, Hamrun Spartans in need of tonic

Msida St Joseph will be harbouring high hopes of notching their first victory after eight matches when they square up to Hamrun Spartans in what is being dubbed as a relegation six-pointer.

Both teams desperately need points to maintain their fading hopes of evading the drop alive but on the back of their performances in their last matches, it is Msida who start as favourites to do the double on the crisis-hit Spartans.

Msida's display in their 0-0 draw against Premier League leaders Birkirkara was reminiscent of their early-season form when Joe Grech's side were being touted as the surprise team of the top flight.

Hamrun also performed creditably in their 1-0 defeat to Marsaxlokk and will also fancy their chances of breaking their duck at their home stadium (kick-off 2.45 p.m.).

On Thursday, the MFA council turned down a request by Msida St Joseph to switch the game to a neutral venue.

Msida cited security concerns as the motif behind their request to have the match played at an alternative venue. A statement by Msida St Joseph said that the club are very disappointed by the MFA council's decision to reject their request.

Meanwhile, neither Grech, the Msida coach, nor Gencho Dobrev, the Hamrun Spartans mentor, have any injury worries for today's clash.

Dobrev is lifted by the return from suspension of Mauro Brincat, Neville Galea and Aaron Attard.

First round result - Msida St Joseph vs Hamrun Spartans 2-0.