Valletta, Sliema look to gain an edge in titanic clash

The title ambitions of two Premier League contenders will be severely tested this afternoon when third-placed Sliema Wanderers will be looking to slow Valletta's charge at the top of the standings at the National Stadium (kick-off: 4 p.m.).

After a hectic summer of transfer activity, these two teams were touted by many to be the among leading challengers for the 2007/08 championship.

However, those predictions were put under question after both teams experienced a stuttering start.

But while Valletta gradually clicked into gear and have now established themselves as a leading force in the league, Sliema have yet to fulfil their potential after weeks of continuous changes in the squad.

Two successive victories over Hibernians and Mqabba lifted the Wanderers to third place on 27 points, four adrift of the Citizens.

Still, for coach Stephen Azzo-pardi, only the three points from this titanic clash will prove that Sliema are strong enough to mount a serious challenge for the honours.

"This will be no decider but, yes, it is a must-win match for us just the same," Azzopardi told The Times yesterday.

"Victory means a lot, for both teams. It will be a huge psychological boost.

"The past few weeks were quite difficult for us, but slowly the team is showing signs of progress.

"I feel we have only reached 65 per cent of our true potential but if the players maintain this level of consistency it will not be long before we will see the best of Sliema Wanderers."

Azzopardi is expected to field Sliema's latest recruit, Carlos Eduardo Ventura, in his starting formation while midfielder Roderick Bajada is available for selection despite being fined by the club for his outburst following his substitution against Mqabba last week.

With the January transfer window slowly approaching to a close, the capture of Brazilian striker Ventura was announced to be Sliema's last involvement in the mid-season market. Azzopardi, however, did not hide his desire to sign another forward.

"I'm very pleased with the way things are developing and our latest acquisition," Azzopardi said.

"Ventura has been a great capture for the club. But, I feel that we will be covered in all sectors if we had to add another striker.

"We only have Ivan Woods in the squad who can play up front and score goals. He could get 20 in a season but the pressure is always on him. Another forward will give us more options in attack."

Tight contest

Turning back his sights on the match against Valletta, Azzopardi predicted a tight contest between the two heavyweights.

"Matches of this type are always tight," Azzopardi said.

"Looking at the two teams I think both are on a similar level, making it very difficult to name a favourite. I guess the team that shows the greater desire and tactical discipline will win this match.

"Tactically we have been excellent lately and hopefully that trend continues against Valletta."

The Citizens are riding on the crest of the wave at the moment following their exploits in the Betfair Cup and the 4-1 thumping of rivals Hamrun Spartans.

Coach Paul Zammit declared himself satisfied with the performance level of his players in recent weeks.

However, he believes that the Sliema match will be an ideal barometer to gauge how far his team can go this season.

"We are coming to this match on the back of a very good run of results," Zammit said. "Victories over Marsaxlokk, Floriana and Hamrun Spartans have shot us up the standings and now the fans are already talking loudly of winning the championship.

"We consider this match to be an ideal test to see how far we can go. Sliema already had a very strong base at the start of the season and their latest signings have made their team even stronger.

"But, this match comes a few weeks away from the start of the Championship Pool and victory will rubberstamp Valletta as the main challengers for the title."

Skipper Gilbert Agius, who missed the Hamrun match through suspension, will be back in the squad but Dyson Falzon is struggling with 'flu.

Zammit said there was no other way now but for his team to maintain the progress registered so far.

"We are unbeaten since last October when we lost to Sliema," Zammit said. "On that day the team played a great match but we ended up on the wrong end of a 2-1 defeat.

"That hurt the players and they responded with a great run of results.

"The main reason behind our success is our tactical discipline.

"Could be that this match will have no bearing on the championship in the end but beating a direct contender always helps to start believing more in your own qualities ahead of the second stage of the campaign."

First round: Valletta vs Sliema Wanderers 1-2.