Wounded Blues look to spoil Greens' perfect start

Stung after conceding their first defeat of the season to Birkirkara last weekend, Sliema Wanderers will be all out to bring to a halt Floriana's strong start in today's Old Firm clash at the National Stadium (kick-off: 6 p.m.).

Floriana are experiencing one of their best starts to a Premier League campaign for years. They are the only team still boasting a 100 per cent record and lead the standings with nine points from three matches.

Ten years have passed since the Greens had such a bright start to the championship. The last time they won their opening three matches was in 1997-98 when they beat Xghajra Tornadoes (1-0), Pietà Hotspurs (1-0) and Tarxien Rainbows (5-1) before a 1-1 draw against Hibernians.

However, that failed to better the impressive 1996-97 streak of six successive victories. On that occasion they also took off with a 2-1 derby win over Valletta but in the end it was the Citizens who laughed last after winning the league and Floriana having to settle for third place behind Birkirkara.

After a busy transfer activity in summer, Sliema are yet to reach top form despite winning two of their opening three matches. Saturday's 2-0 reverse exposed the team's problems as they seemed a disjointed lot with their newly-acquired players yet to settle in their new environs.

This evening they will be facing a Floriana side led by ex-Blues' striker Danilo Doncic. The Serb enjoyed a successful playing career with Sliema, winning three league titles and a FA Trophy. He was the leading scorer for three years during his time with the Wanderers.

Doncic shrugged off suggestions that his team start favourites today.

"Sliema are stronger and more likely to pick the three points," Doncic told The Times.

"Our current position in the standings does not eliminate the difference in quality between the two teams. They are the clear favourites to win the league.

"For us the most important thing is to match the performance of our victory over Valletta, our best so far. We have to be focused right from the start as a lapse in concentration could prove costly against a side of Sliema's stature."

Doncic is worried on the fitness of Serb defender Darko Krsteski who is struggling with a muscle strain while Manolito Micallef and Adrian Mifsud are rated as doubtful after picking up knocks in the 3-1 win over Mqabba. Midfielder Mauro Brincat will serve a one-match ban.

Asked whether facing his former club holds a particular significance for him, Doncic replied: "When I started my new job I knew that I would be facing my former teams. At Sliema, I enjoyed some great years but that forms part of the past. Now I am coach at Floriana and I will give my best to see this team flourishing again."

Like Doncic, Ray Farrugia, the Sliema coach, will also be locking horns against his former team having been on the books of Floriana during his playing career in the 1970s.

Farrugia is focusing his energies on his players to click into top gear after their rather unconvincing showings of late. Farrugia said he was heartened by the reaction from his players after going down to Birkirkara.

"We were all disappointed to lose our last match," he said. "Our performance was well below our capabilities and I made it clear to the group that we cannot afford a repeat against Floriana.

"With so many new recruits in the squad, the team needs time to settle down but this week I saw some promising signs during practising that fills me with confidence."

Alex Muscat (hamstring) and Matthew Bartolo (groin) are doubtful but otherwise Sliema can rely on a resourceful squad.

"Floriana are a very organised side with all players working hard for each other," Farrugia said.

"But, I'm sure my players will rise to the challenge. We have to take all three points from this match as another slip-up will add further pressure on us.

"The championship looks very balanced this year with most of the teams looking strong enough to beat each other. So it's vital that we hit a long, consistent run to stay in contention."

Other matches...

Hibernians vs Mqabba (today at 4 p.m., National Stadium).
Hibernians are the odds on favourites to return to winning ways by beating bottom-placed Mqabba today.

The Paolites have yet to record their first league win of the season after three outings and will be keen to end that drought against newcomers Mqabba, themselves still without a point.

Hibs coach Robert Gatt has no injury worries following Monday's 1-1 draw against Valletta and will be hoping his players score a convincing win ahead of next week's matches against Sliema and Marsa-xlokk.

Mqabba welcome back Brazilian forward Marcelo Pereira who missed the 3-1 defeat to Floriana through suspension.

Mqabba have shown some progress lately and coach Joey Falzon will be expecting his men to produce another solid display and, perhaps, chalk up their first point.

Hamrun Spartans vs Pietà Hotspurs (tomorrow at 4 p.m., National Stadium).

Neighbours Hamrun and Pietà go into this match in contrasting moods. While the Spartans' morale is sky-high following a surprise 1-0 win over champions Marsaxlokk, the Hotspurs are still licking their wounds after a 1-0 upset to Msida.

Hamrun coach Marco Gerada is expected to retain his starting XI who performed so well last weekend. Against Marsaxlokk, the Division One champions produced a spirited showing and a repeat of that display makes them favourites to add three further points to their tally.

Pietà coach Carmel Busuttil had little to be happy with following Sunday's upset to Msida that left his team bottom of the standings with no points.

The Hotspurs seem unable to eradicate lapses of concentration in key moments during the match and that is costing them vital points.

Busuttil is expected to be without youngsters Carl Pulo, Dylan Koka-vessis and Daniel Gatt who all failed to recover full fitness.

Msida SJ vs Valletta (tomorrow at 6 p.m., National Stadium).
After a lacklustre performance in Monday's 1-1 draw with Hibs, Valletta have set their sights on re-launching their title bid with a victory over Msida.

Against the Paolites, the unimpressive Citizens were three minutes away from a precious victory only to concede an equaliser much to the dismay of their demanding fans.

Valletta coach Paul Zammit must have spent the last few days urging his players to lift their game as he seeks a convincing performance that can inject much-needed confidence in his clan.

Stefan Giglio is out for six weeks after suffering a recurrence of the hamstring injury that sidelined him at the start of the season while Steve Bezzina is rated as doubtful. On a plus note, Ian Zammit is available after missing the Hibs match through suspension.

Msida are sweating on the fitness of Cameroon midfielder George Ogbonna but otherwise Patrick Curmi has a full squad available as he looks to build on Sunday's 1-0 win over Pietà.

Note: Sunday's match between Birkirkara and Marsaxlokk will be previewed in the Sunday Times.