Sliema, Hibs strive to up their challenge

A full mid-week Premier League programme is expected to throw up some interesting clashes as the 10 top-flight teams strive to up their challenge.

Sliema Wanderers and Hibs will be looking to creep closer to the top positions when they go head-to-head this evening at 7.30.

These two big guns are billed among the favourites to win the league title but neither team has made the sort of convincing start to justify their lofty ambitions.

After their unexpected 2-0 loss to Birkirkara, Sliema salvaged a point at the death in their clash with Floriana on Friday, in the process taking their tally for the season to seven points from four matches.

Hibs are two points behind their impending opponents after ending a three-match winless run with a 2-0 victory over Mqabba.

Ray Farrugia, the Sliema coach, acknowledged that his team have not been consistent in their performances but he was only too keen to play down talk about the Blues being the hot favourites to win the championship.

"Our goal is to win the league and we do believe in our capabilities of producing a strong challenge but I don't agree with suggestions that Sliema are the top favourites," Farrugia told The Times.

"While it's very much true that we have signed some valid players in the close season, one must bear in mind that the other top teams have also strengthened their squads.

"From what I've seen so far, I think the race for the title is going to be contested by more than two teams."

Farrugia ranks Hibs as one of the teams likely to make a solid bid for the honours.

"Hibs have always been considered as one of the top teams in Malta," Farrugia said.

"They are always tough opponents and this season, I think they really have a good chance of fighting for the honours because they've got a settled side with a core of players who have been together for several years now."

With the exception of Chucks Nwoko, who is recovering from surgery on a fractured foot, Sliema are at full strength today.

"Every match is difficult," Farrugia added. "I am confident that when our players click as a team, performances will improve. The only thing that I expect from them is that they put in more effort than they have done so far."

Hibs coach Robert Gatt has the utmost respect for Sliema but he shares Farrugia's view that they are not the outright contenders for the league title.

"Sliema are among the main candidates but they are not alone," Gatt said. "The traditional teams in the Premier League are more or less on the same wavelength this season.

"Some are more experienced than others but then there are some who have more enthusiasm."

Malta goalkeeper Mario Muscat is expected to return for Hibs today after recovering from the knock he suffered in the 1-1 draw with Valletta.

When it was put to Gatt that Hibs may have a slight advantage on the others in that they have made only minor changes to their squad, the Paolites mentor quickly replied: "We have three new players in our team and these need time to adapt.

"Uzeh Edafe and Julio Alcorse were both signed this summer while Jonathan Caruana is like a new player for us because he is just coming back from a long injury."

Striker Alcorse was clearly unhappy with Gatt's decision to take him off in the second half of Friday's 2-0 victory over Mqabba.

Asked whether Alcorse's reaction has affected their relationship, Gatt said: "My relationship with Alcorse is normal. I'm not the least concerned about his reaction to being substituted during our last match."

Champs face Greens

Marsaxlokk vs Floriana (Thursday at 8 p.m., National Stadium).
Marsaxlokk must step up their game if they are to resume their winning ways after two consecutive defeats. The champions have a hard task on their hands as they must contend with a Floriana team who are still undefeated this season.

The Greens were within seconds of recording their fourth victory in a row last Friday but a stunning goal from Roderick Briffa spoilt their perfect record as their clash with Sliema ended 2-2.

Coach Danilo Doncic must make one change in defence as defender Darko Krsteski is ruled out by suspension after his red card against Sliema.

Mauro Brincat is back in contention after serving his one-match ban but Trevor Cilia, Manolito Micallef and Chris Caruana are struggling with minor injuries.

Brian Talbot, the Marsaxlokk coach, is still without captain Carlo Mamo but the Englishman could also opt to make some changes after their defeat to Birkirkara.

The Other Matches...

Msida St Joseph vs Hamrun Spartans (tomorrow at 6 p.m., National Stadium).
These two teams experienced contrasting fortunes last weekend.

While Msida snatched a last-minute equaliser in a creditable 1-1 draw with Valletta, Hamrun forfeited a one-goal lead in a 3-2 loss to rivals Pietà Hotspurs.

Saturday's defeat has augmented the pressure on the Spartans to make quick amends with a victory in their second derby of the season.

For his part, Msida coach Patrick Curmi is keen for his team to extend their positive run to three matches by winning what he described as a "very important" fixture.

"This match is very important for us," Curmi said. "We need a good result to improve our points' tally but we also need to give a good account of ourselves because this is a derby.

"Our performance and the end-result against Valletta have given everyone in our clan a huge confidence-boost. Now we have to keep this positive momentum going."

Karl Ebejer is still recovering from a knee ligament injury but otherwise Curmi has no injury worries.

Marco Gerada, the Hamrun Spartans coach, must make do without captain Ryan Fenech who is suspended after his late red card against Pietà.

"I'm very disappointed with the manner of our defeat to Pietà," Gerada said. "We had been on a positive run before our game to Pietà, stretching back to our pre-season friendlies, but this upset has dented our morale.

"This match against Msida gives us the chance to bounce back but it will not be easy."

Valletta vs Mqabba (tomorrow at 8 p.m., National Stadium).
Without a win in their last two outings, Valletta will have high hopes of halting their negative sequence with a victory over Mqabba, the only team without a point after four matches.

Having just received a vote of confidence from the City committee, beleaguered coach Paul Zammit knows that anything less than three points tomorrow would further jeopardise his position.

Zammit is keeping his fingers crossed that three first-choice players will recover their fitness in time to play against Mqabba.

Left-back Renie Forace is currently down with flu, Massimo Grima had two stitches to a cut on his eyebrow and Dyson Falzon picked up a calf injury on Saturday.

Mqabba coach Joey Falzon knows that his team cannot repeat their poor first-half showing in the 2-0 defeat to Hibs if they are to have a chance of surprising Valletta.

Falzon has a full squad at his disposal.

Pietà vs Birkirkara (Thursday at 6 p.m., National Stadium).

Pietà coach Carmel Busuttil will test his wits against former Malta team-mate John Buttigieg in Thursday's opening match.

Buttigieg is regarded as favourite to prevail over his former captain as his Birkirkara team are leading the Premier League with 10 points from four matches.

By contrast, Pietà are in the bottom segment of the standings with just three points from four matches but they go into their match with the Stripes on a high after their 3-2 win over rivals Hamrun.

Rumen Galabov is the only injury concern for Busuttil after the Bulgarian utility player twisted an ankle last weekend.

Buttigieg is expected to stick with the same formation that maintained Birkirkara's unbeaten start to four matches with a 2-0 success over Marsaxlokk on Sunday.