Sliema, Hibs look to reduce gap

Pietà Hotspurs vs Sliema Wanderers (today at 2 p.m., National Stadium).

With Birkirkara having ensured top spot ahead of the start of the Championship Pool, Sliema's objective for their final second round match lies in narrowing the gap on the leaders.

Given that the points of each team will be halved before the start of the second phase, the champions will be aware that a victory today would ease them to within one point of Birkirkara. The latter will kick off their top-six campaign on 21 points. Sliema lie third on 36 points but if they win today, they will be assured of starting the decisive phase of the league trek on 20 points.

To reach their target, the Wanderers must rediscover their scoring touch after drawing a blank in successive stalemates against Marsaxlokk and Floriana.

Edward Aquilina, the Sliema Wanderers coach, will make one change from the team that drew with the Greens after midfielder Roderick Bajada received a one-match ban. Darren Debono is expected to earn a recall to the starting line-up after serving his one-match suspension.

Although on paper, Sliema should account for Pietà Hotspurs without much hassle, the outcome of the corresponding first round encounter suggests caution.

The Wanderers were on an eight-match winning run before their first meeting with the Hotspurs but a superb strike from Martin Deanov foiled their ambition to make it nine victories on the trot.

Memories of that upset ought to further enhance optimism in the Pietà clan after their exciting 3-1 victory over Marsaxlokk last weekend.

Georgi Deanov, the Pietà coach, is unlikely to alter his formation as he looks to settle on a regular XI in preparation of his team's fierce battle in the Relegation Pool.

First round - Pietà 1 (M. Deanov) Sliema 0.

Hibernians vs Marsaxlokk (today at 4 p.m., National Stadium).

Hopes are high for an entertaining duel between Hibernians and Marsaxlokk, two teams with lofty aspirations of offering a strong challenge for the title.

Like Sliema, Hibernians, second in the table on 37 points, are hellbent on winning this match to trim the deficit with Birkirkara to one point.

For their part, Marsaxlokk (31 points) desperately need the points to get closer to the leading pack and bounce back from their unexpected 3-1 slip-up to Pietà.

Robert Gatt, the Hibs coach, is unlikely to make drastic changes to the formation he fielded in the 2-0 defeat of Msida last Saturday, the Paolites' first win after back-to-back losses to Birkirkara and Valletta.

Gatt could be tempted to award a starting role to Roderick Baldacchino who hit his team's second goal after coming on as a substitute.

Striker Terence Scerri, Irish winger Dave Williamson and young midfielder Ben Camilleri are still sidelined with injuries for Hibs.

Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia, the Marsaxlokk coach, will surely have made his feelings known to his players after their opaque performance against the Hotspurs resulted in their first defeat after seven matches.

Farrugia and Oliver Spiteri, his right-hand man, cannot select their first XI from a full squad. Gareth Sciberras, Kevin Sammut and Cesar Paiber are recovering from injuries and left-back Carlo Mamo is doubtful.

First round - Hibs 4 (Scerri; D. Camilleri 2; Doda) Marsaxlokk 1 (Schembri).

Mosta vs Valletta (tomorrow at 12.45 p.m., Hibs Ground).

Paul Zammit, the Valletta coach, will face his former club Mosta for the first time since he left in November.

After their 2-1 loss to Hamrun Spartans, this fixture suddenly loomed as a potentially decisive clash for Valletta but Floriana's failure to beat Birkirkara took the pressure off the Citizens who have now sealed their presence among the top six teams.

Nonetheless, Zammit will exact a strong response from his team as a way of atoning for their setback against Hamrun. Argentine striker Sebastian Omar Monesterolo is in line for a return to Valletta's team after he missed Sunday's defeat to the Spartans.

Injury had initially been cited as the reason for his absence on Sunday but it later transpired that Valletta had decided to withdraw Monesterolo after the Argentine club he played for before moving to Malta, objected to his transfer and claimed compensation.

Well-placed sources yesterday told The Times that the issue has been cleared after Valletta received confirmation from the Argentine FA about the validity of Monesterolo's transfer.

Monesterolo's availability is good news for Zammit who has a full complement at his disposal.

Bottom of the table with eight points from 17 matches, Mosta will be fully conscious that they need to start racking up more points to revive their slender hopes of evading the drop.

Charles Agius, the man tasked with guiding Mosta after Zammit's departure, is expected to reinstate the talented Nigerian forward Udo Nwoko to his starting line-up.

Nwoko had been omitted from the squad for their last outing against Birkirkara after he reportedly underwent a short trial with English first division club Derby County without Mosta's consent.

The differences between the two parties have since been ironed out and Nwoko is expected to resume his place in Mosta's attack tomorrow.

Dyson Falzon also returns after missing the 6-0 loss to Birkirkara with suspension.

Defenders Jonathan Caruana and Carl Attard are injured.

First round - Mosta 0 Valletta 1 (Zammit).

Football milestones...

Data compiled by Rinus Dahles - dahles@global.net.mt

¤ Kevin Mamo, of Marsaxlokk, played his 250th Premier League match last Saturday.

He began his career with Sliema Wanderers (23 matches), moved to St Patrick (12 matches), Pietà Hotspurs (161 matches) and Marsaxlokk (54 matches).

¤ Gilbert Agius, netted his 200th goal for Valletta FC last week against Hamrun Spartans. Agius has never scored in the Super Cup.

Agius' goals: 147 Premier League; 22 FA Trophy; 9 Lowenbrau Cup; 11 Super Five; 2 Centenary Cup; 9 European club competitions.

¤ Last week Adrian Ciantar played his 300th official match overall in Maltese football.

Playing for Qormi (Division Two) in 1994 and later for St Patrick (Division One), he made 37 first-team appearances in the lower divisions.

In 1997, he joined Hibs and then Birkirkara in 2003. He played 210 Premier League matches, 18 FA Trophy, 6 Lowenbrau Cup, 13 Super Five, 1 Centenary Cup, 4 Super Cup and 11 European club competitions.