City keen to soften 'Seba' blow

Sliema Wanderers vs Valletta (today at 6 p.m., National Stadium).

With second place in the standings awaiting the winner, the match between Sliema Wanderers and Valletta has all the pre-requisites of a closely-fought encounter.

The build-up to the match has been overshadowed by the news that Valletta's Argentine forward Sebastian Monesterolo journeyed to Kuwait in midweek to complete his move to Kuwait Sports Club.

Now that the 'Seba' saga is over, Paul Zammit, the Valletta coach, will demand that his players focus on the task at hand, urging them to show that even without their chief goalscorer, they can still deliver the goods. The Citizens will also be hungry to win not only to atone for their 2-1 reverse to Hibs but to catch Msida in second place.

Although Monesterolo had planned to return to Malta this weekend, he is now certain to skip today's match. The other players in the Valletta squad are available for selection.

Like Valletta, Sliema have second spot in their sights as three points today would haul them one point above Msida. Ray Farrugia, the Sliema coach, will parade new signing, Montenegrin striker Aleksandar Madzar who has replaced Czech midfielder Zdenek Svoboda. The latter is reportedly close to joining Nadur Youngsters in Gozo.

Former Malta midfielder Stefan Giglio is expected to earn a call-up to the Sliema squad for the first time in five months after completing his rehabilitation from ankle surgery. Claude Mattocks, Noel Turner and Italian defender Mauro Di Lello are still unfit to play.

First round result - Valletta vs Sliema 1-0.

St George's vs Floriana (tomorrow at 1 p.m., Tedesco Stadium).

Last week's disappointing 1-0 defeat to Birkirkara has all but condemned Floriana to the Relegation Pool for a second successive season.

Floriana coach Joe Grech's foremost priority before tomorrow's match is to ensure that his players are fully concentrated as victory against St George's would give the Greens a sizeable lead over the teams behind them in the standings.

Grech is boosted by the return of several key players. Ian Azzopardi and Manolito Micallef are back in the frame after serving a one-match ban while Wendell Gomes, Riad-Mynel Gango-Rtsa, Mauro Brincat and Adrian Mifsud have regained full fitness.

The only players set to miss out are Angus Buhagiar and Christian Caruana, both struggling with ankle injuries.

St George's will seek to exploit Floriana's low spirits to try and pick up more valuable points in their fight against the drop. The arrival of striker Alfred Effiong has been a great acquisition for the Saints as the Nigerian inspired the team to 1-1 draws against leading duo Marsaxlokk and Msida in their last two outings.

Antoine Zahra is expected to make his first appearance for St George's following his loan move from Hibernians this week. Coach Marco Gerada is hindered by the absence of Clive Brincat and Benoir Fenech who received a one-match ban in midweek.

Brazilian forward Edoardo Do Nascimento faces a late fitness test but goalkeeper Bernard Paris and midfielders Anthony Bonello and Kurt Formosa are still out through injury.

First round result - Floriana vs St George's 0-0.

Pietà Hotspurs vs Birkirkara (tomorrow at 3 p.m., Tedesco Stadium).

Champions Birkirkara will be looking to maintain their rise up the standings when they face an improving Pietà Hotspurs side.

Back-to-back wins over Marsa and Floriana have seen the Stripes reducing their deficit on the leading teams, and with the top four facing each other this afternoon, victory tomorrow would edge the Stripes even closer to the upper reaches of the standings.

Coach Stephen Azzopardi is expected to be without Argentine-born midfielder Dario Larrosa, Antoine Zahra and Lino Galea. Azzopardi must also assess the condition of striker Etienne Barbara who was expected to return from his trial with NK Rijeka of Croatia yesterday.

Pietà will be determined to maintain their rich vein of form. The Hotspurs are unbeaten in their last four matches and Sunday's 5-3 win over Marsa lifted them out of the bottom two places for the first time this season.

Coach Carmel Busuttil will assure his usual position on the subs' bench after serving a two-match ban. The Pietà mentor is expected to include new signing Roberto Provenza in his 18-man squad. The Italian midfielder has signed for Pietà until the end of the season.

Dominic Mifsud is set to regain a place in Pietà's first team after recovering from injury.

First round result - Pietà Hotspurs vs Birkirkara 1-2.