Floriana eyeing three points to lift top-six hopes

The quest for Championship Pool slots is bound to intensify this weekend with tricky matches looming for four of the five teams in the middle-to-bottom part of the Premier League standings.

Floriana are among a host of clubs looking to attain the comfort of a top-six finish at the end of the first phase.

This evening they have another opportunity to enhance their position when they square up to St Patrick at the Centenary Stadium.

Given that 14 points separate these two teams in the standings, Floriana should have no problems in accounting for St Patrick but their last outing against Lija ought to have cautioned the Greens that no opposition is to be taken lightly these days.

Last Friday, Floriana fluffed a glorious chance to open a slight gap on their rivals when they dropped two points in a 1-1 draw with Lija. Their failure to emerge unscathed from that clash proved costly as they were leapfrogged by Hibs into fourth place after the latter's last-minute victory over Marsaxlokk on Monday.

Pietà Hotspurs also closed in on the Greens after they dismantled St Patrick 5-0 on Sunday to take their tally to 14 points, two behind Floriana.

Much more was expected from St Patrick in their encounter with Pietà after they had gained two points from their previous two matches against Marsaxlokk and Hibs. While the Paolites will renew hostilities with third-placed Birkirkara tomorrow, Marsaxlokk have a direct encounter with Pietà on Sunday.

Msida St Joseph, the other team entertaining high aspirations of a Championship Pool place, face Valletta tomorrow.

Willie Vassallo, the Floriana coach, has several selection problems to contend with ahead of this evening's match.

Versatile Stephen Wellman is sidelined for four weeks with a leg problem he sustained in the goalless draw against Valletta and Brazilian Andre Rocha Da Silva, the Greens' lynch-pin in midfield, has not fully recovered from injury.

Congo defender Riad-Mynel Gango-Rtsa made his comeback from injury on Friday but is again rated as doubtful today.

Julian Briffa is also sure to miss the meeting with St Patrick after he received a one-match ban.

St Patrick coach Bobby Giorev is without defender Simon Zerafa who was also on the suspensions' list in midweek.

Next matches...

Centenary Stadium, today - Division One 6 p.m. Marsa vs Balzan Youths. Premier League 8 p.m. Floriana vs St Patrick.

National Stadium, tomorrow - 2 p.m. Valletta vs Msida St Joseph; 4 p.m. Hibernians vs Birkirkara.

Hibs Ground, Sunday - 12.45 p.m. Pietà Hotspurs vs Marsaxlokk; 2.45 p.m. Sliema Wanderers vs Lija Athletic.