High-riding Valletta eager to settle score with Msida

Revenge will rank high on Valletta's agenda this afternoon (kick-off 2 p.m.) when they clash with Msida St Joseph at the National Stadium.

The high-riding Citizens, buoyed by their 3-2 conquest of champions and leaders Sliema Wanderers, have a score to settle with the Saints who had beaten them 4-1 in a highly controversial first round match.

Valletta have not looked back since their infamous upset to Msida which is mostly remembered for the red cards shown to Renie Forace and Ian Zammit and the two penalties awarded to the Saints.

J.J. Aquilina's troops have pieced together a remarkable eight-match unbeaten run to climb to second place in the standings and virtually assure themselves of a place among the top six teams.

"We only have bitter memories of our first-round meeting with Msida," Aquilina told The Times.

"They beat us 4-1 but that match was definitely conditioned by those two red cards and the two penalties we conceded. But, as the saying goes, there's no point crying over spilt milk. This fixture with Msida is an opportunity to make amends for that defeat. Our morale is sky-high after the victory over Sliema but our concentration has to remain spot-on if we want to extend this positive sequence."

For Nemanja Vucasinovic, the young striker from Serbia & Montenegro, this afternoon's match is expected to be his last in the City colours as he will be returning home next week.

Jaroslav Marx, the Czech Republic midfielder, is still out with a persistent hip problem but Keith Fenech returns from suspension to add steel to Valletta's midfield.

Forace and Karl Bonnici were down with flu during the week but Aquilina expects them to recover in time to face Msida.

Like Valletta, Msida have also set a Championship Pool berth as their main objective this season. Their victory over the former Malta champions in September had raised hopes of a plainsailing march to a top-six finish but this has not been the case.

Msida desperately need the points against Valletta today if they are to extricate themselves from the lower half of the standings where they currently lie third from last alongside Marsaxlokk on 13 points.

After succumbing to a 2-0 loss to Birkirkara on Sunday, Msida's difficulties in their lead-up to today's significant match deepened with news of Charles Sciberras's collapse during training. The former Floriana midfielder was immediately taken to hospital on Thursday but his condition is not serious.

Sciberras will miss today's clash but could resume training with Msida as early as next Monday, according to coach Mario Petrone.

"Sciberras is feeling a lot better now and could return to training on Monday," Petrone said.

Apart from Sciberras, the team captain, Petrone has several other players on the sidelines, namely Kevin Sammut, Roderick Bajada and Johann Zammit who are still recovering from injuries. Italian defender Manuel Boni is also doubtful.

"We are decimated by injuries and if things do not improve before the game, we will only have 13 recognised first-team players available to play," Petrone lamented.

"This is a difficult period for our team but we will still try hard to earn a positive result from our match with Valletta."

First round result - Msida SJ vs Valletta 4-1.

Hibernians, Birkirkara renew hostilities

The allure attached to Birkirkara-Hibs clashes has increased considerably over the last few years.

Today's second round match at 4 p.m., promises to be no different as Birkirkara and Hibs look to strengthen their position in the table.

Now that their gap on leaders Sliema has been shortened to four points, Birkirkara will look at this match as an opportunity to increase the pressure on the champions.

That will be a no easy task according to their coach Stephen Azzopardi.

"Hibs are always a difficult side to play against," Azzopardi said.

"They have shown their potential in several matches... on Monday they had the better of Marsaxlokk and recently, they drew against Valletta after suffering a last-gasp equaliser.

"Hibs may not have the strength-in-depth that Sliema and we have but this year, with the exception of Lija and St Patrick, the difference between the leading teams is marginal. The league is very balanced and every game has to be regarded as a cup tie."

Striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza is unlikely to be in the Birkirkara squad today as he has a hamstring problem.

Robert Gatt, the Hibs coach, has a hard job on his hands in trying to find a replacement for the crafty Andrè Schembri in midfield.

The Malta U-21 player is suspended after his red card in the 2-1 defeat of Marsaxlokk. Mario Muscat and Ndubisi Chukunyere are also not 100 per cent fit but striker Terence Scerri is back from suspension.

"You have to view our position from two angles," Gatt said in comments he gave to The Times. "We certainly don't have a reassuring advantage on the teams placed just beneath us but we are also not far away from the leading sides.

"Generally, we have played good football so far but we have been involved in far too many drawn outcomes. Birkirkara are our next opponents and they are one of the few teams who have won against us. It will be another difficult test but I'm not downhearted."

First round result - Birkirkara vs Hibs 2-1.

Tomorrow's matches

Pietà Hotspurs vs Marsaxlokk (tomorrow at 12.45 p.m., Hibs Ground).

Combative fare is anticipated tomorrow when Pietà Hotspurs and Marsaxlokk, two contenders for the Championship Pool, confront each other.

The Hotspurs have moved one point clear of Marsaxlokk after their victories over Lija and St Patrick and go into tomorrow's match as the more in-form team of these two contestants.

Atanas Marinov, the Marsaxlokk mentor, cannot name his best formation as midfielder Jamie Pace received a one-match ban following his red card against Hibs. In midweek, Pace was recalled to training with the national squad.

Defender Richard Buhagiar is still recovering from a knee operation but Cesar Paiber is back from suspension.

First round result - Marsaxlokk vs Pietà 4-1.

Sliema Wanderers vs Lija Athletic (tomorrow at 2.45 p.m., Hibs Ground).

Sliema Wanderers should regain their winning touch when they take on lowly Lija Athletic tomorrow.

Although the Blues are firm favourites to win, an overconfident approach could complicate matters for them, especially in view of their list of absentees.

Stefan Giglio, Rupert Mangion, Kris Laferla and goalkeeper Murphy Akanji are struggling with injuries and Jeffrey Chetcuti is out after he was hit by a one-match ban for his dismissal against Valletta.

Lija, who caused a surprise last week when holding Floriana to a 1-1 draw, will be without Nicky Gatt but otherwise coach Ilir Pelinku can bank on a full complement.

First round result - Sliema W. vs Lija A. 4-0.