Blues keen to snub Hibs' threat

Lingering questions about the genuineness of Hibernians' title bid are likely to be answered this afternoon when the Paolites come face to face with the reigning champions and leaders Sliema Wanderers in the plum tie of the weekend.

A 1-0 victory over Pietà Hotspurs last Sunday was viewed as a much-needed fillip for their hopes of landing the Premier League crown but the unconvincing manner of Hibs' success did little to allay the mounting cynicism surrounding their status as one of the main title candidates.

Sliema have long consigned doubts about their championship credentials to the dustbin after putting together an impressive run of 12 league matches without a defeat.

Last week, Edward Aquilina's blue troops prevailed over the ambitious Marsaxlokk to the tune of 3-1 despite missing two key players, Danilo Doncic, injured, and Brian Said who was ruled out by suspension.

Their relentless march since November has seen the Blues blazing their way to the top spot. Today, they approach this tricky fixture against Hibernians (kick-off 4 p.m.) with a three-point lead over Birkirkara who clash with Pietà Hotspurs in the opening match at 2 p.m.

Given their advantage over Birkirkara, Sliema would still remain firmly in contention even if they forfeit something in today's clash but the same cannot be said of Hibernians whose title prospects would all but vanish if they emerge empty-handed.

This must-win scenario for Hibs has not been lost on their cautious coach Robert Gatt who declared: "As things stand in the upper part of the table, this is perhaps our last opportunity to maintain our challenge for the title. We need the points to remain in the hunt but then again, one cannot draw conclusions on the basis of one match because football can be so unpredictable."

Over the past few years, Hibs have earned the reputation as Sliema's bogey team but results this season do not provide much cause for optimism as the Blues won the first round match 2-0 and their last meeting ended goalless.

"Past matches count for nothing because every game has its own story," Gatt added. "This season, we cannot say that Hibs have been successful in matches against Sliema."

Gatt cannot field his best formation this afternoon as his chief goal getter Adrian Mifsud is still recovering from a chest injury sustained in the 3-1 defeat to Birkirkara. The Hibs mentor is not expected to make significant changes to the team that was made to work hard to gain maximum points from their encounter with Pietà.

Contrasting reviews greeted Sunday's encounter between Hibs and Pietà... those in the winning clan claimed that theirs was a deserved success given their superiority in terms of technique but Pietà argued that they held possession for long stretches and should have taken something from the match.

"I don't think our performance against Pietà was not as negative as certain people made it out to be," Gatt commented.

"Our gameplan was to contain Pietà and hit them on the counter and I believe such tactics paid the right dividends. Having said that, I am the first to admit that we need to lift our performance if we want to topple Sliema Wanderers."

Edward Aquilina, Gatt's opposite number at Sliema, is confident that that his team will snub Hibs' title threat today at the National Stadium.

"Victory is more crucial for them than for us if we take into consideration their position in the standing vis-a-vis ours but at this important stage of the season, we cannot afford to slip up," Aquilina told The Times.

"I have repeatedly said that the potential of this Sliema squad is so big that I believe no other team can stop us if we perform to our capabilities.

"My anxiety from Monday till matchday is caused not by our opponents' strength, but by my own fear that any of my key players suffer a physical problem. For example, Stefan Giglio strained a muscle during training with the national team after jumping a wall to retrieve a lost ball... I mean it's absurd. Luckily, it's nothing serious and he should be OK to face Hibs."

Aquilina will have good reason to worry if Giglio is declared unfit to play as the former CSKA Sofia midfielder has been in excellent form for his team in the last two months.

Not only that but Aquilina's resources are already stretched by the knee injury suffered by skipper Noel Turner, who underwent knee surgery yesterday, and striker Danilo Doncic who has yet to fully recover from a knock he picked up in the 2-0 dismissal of Floriana.

Hibernians' knack to show their best in clashes with Sliema normally has Aquilina in cautious mood before a direct encounter but the Blues' mentor sounded very upbeat.

"Our head-to-head record with Hibs this season is good. The last time we played them we were decimated with injuries but the team still managed to grind out a goalless draw which was testament to their will to deliver against Hibs.

"That does not mean that Hibs will not be a difficult side to compete with as they have several young and dynamic players but I believe that in terms of experience and individual quality of players, we are streets ahead of them."

For the second week in succession, Sliema will have a clear view of the situation at the top of the table given that chief rivals Birkirkara are first in action today. A victory for Birkirkara is likely to be seen as putting further pressure on Sliema but Aquilina is unconcerned.

"Actually, I think it's better for us if Birkirkara play their game before ours. I say this because I know that the key players in my team have been in such situations before and know how to take the pressure... I think they thrive on pressure," the former Valletta coach remarked.

Stripes face Pietà test

With Sliema embroiled in a potentially difficult fixture, second-placed Birkirkara will be expected to go into their clash against Pietà with all guns blazing.

They are the favourites to achieve victory but the Hotspurs' plucky performances should act as a deterrent against complacency.

Stephen Azzopardi, the Birkirkara coach, welcomes back in the fray Chucks Nwoko, who missed the 1-0 victory over Floriana, but must make do without Michael Galea, plagued by a hamstring injury, and Roderick Briffa, still recovering from groin problems.

Matthew Calascione, Haruna Doda and Mark Anthony Bonnici are rated as doubtful for today's clash.

Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia, the Pietà coach, is again expected to be without Serbian defender Branko Nisevic while right-back Pierre Aquilina missed some training sessions this week as he was sick.

Cameroon forward Alain Michel Ekwe returns from suspension.

Previous results - Birkirkara vs Pietà H. 3-2, 5-1.

Barbara gets two-match ban

Meanwhile, Marsaxlokk's hopes of gaining a top-three finish were dealt a blow yesterday when their international midfielder Etienne Barbara was suspended for two games.

Barbara, 21, received his suspension after he was red carded for dissent in the 3-1 defeat to Sliema last Friday.

Sunday's Premier League matches at the Tedesco Stadium: 2 p.m. Balzan Youths vs Hamrun Spartans; 4 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Floriana.