Stripes seek to turn up pressure

Birkirkara vs Hamrun Spartans (today at 3 p.m., National Stadium).
Birkirkara have been at pains to defuse talk about their title chances but they must be relishing the prospect of making a last-ditch attempt for the top prize if the opportunity arose.

With Valletta and Marsaxlokk involved in a direct duel tomorrow, the Stripes know that this match is a great opportunity for them to increase the pressure on the front-runners.

Judging by current form, Birkirkara are surefire favourites to see off a Hamrun side who have lost three and drawn one of their four Championship Pool matches. Their dismal record is in marked contrast with that of their impending rivals who have taken 10 points from a maximum of 12 since the start of the league's second phase.

John Buttigieg, the Birkirkara coach, must make one change from the team he fielded for last weekend's 2-0 victory over Floriana as midfielder Alan Tabone is suspended.

Striker Michael Galea is poised for a return after recovering from a knee injury but Lino Galea is still on the casualty list.

Hamrun coach Marco Gerada, who will complete two-match touchline ban this afternoon, is likely to opt for a zero-risk policy in so far as those players who are recovering from injuries are concerned. The Spartans already have one eye on their FA Trophy quarter-final tie with Division One side Dingli Swallows next weekend.

Right-back Mark Anthony Bonnici is plagued by a groin injury and midfielder Rupert Mangion has yet to complete his recovery from a nagging knee problem. Nigerian Precious Monye could be back though as he was expected to rejoin the squad yesterday following a visit to his homeland.

Neville Galea is doubtful with a hamstring injury but goalkeeper Michael Falzon seems to have recovered from injury.

Results so far: Birkirkara vs Hamrun Spartans 2-2, 5-0.

Sliema Wanderers vs Floriana (today at 5 p.m., National Stadium).
Old Firm rivals Sliema Wanderers and Floriana meet in the first of two matches in the space of eight days after they were drawn against each other in the FA Trophy quarter-finals.

Both sides have struggled to hold their own in the Championship Pool.

Sliema, who began the season with high hopes of capturing the title, are virtually out of the race after they suffered their third defeat in the last four matches when going down 2-0 to Valletta.

Floriana, whose chief objective this season was to secure a place in the top six, have fared worse than the Wanderers as they have only a draw and three defeats to show from their last four matches.

Striker Ivan Woods is back in the frame for Sliema after suspension kept him out of last weekend's defeat to Valletta.

Coach Stephen Azzopardi has a full squad at his disposal but he is expected to bring more youngsters into the side, now that the Wanderers have all but given up hope of winning the title.

In midweek, Sliema president Robert Arrigo announced that he will not be seeking to extend his tenure at the helm of the club at the next annual general meeting.

Floriana coach Danilo Doncic is boosted by the return from suspension of Zoran Levnaic and Julian Briffa but English winger Yala Bolasie and Christian Caruana are struggling with injuries and may not play today.

Results so far: Sliema vs Floriana 2-2, 0-1.

Hibernians vs Mqabba (tomorrow at 3 p.m., National Stadium).
Hibernians are widely expected to win this match and attain mathematical security in so far as their Premier League status for next season is concerned.

Hurt by their failure to make the Championship Pool, the Paolites have mustered enough motivation to breeze through their opening two Relegation Pool matches which produced victories over Msida and Pietà.

Hibs currently have an 11-point lead over second-from-bottom Pietà, meaning that victory tomorrow would seal their survival mission with three matches to spare.

Robert Gatt, the Hibs coach, can pick his team from a full compliment. He's expected to give the fringe players a run-out as some of the established players may be rested ahead of their FA Trophy quarter-final against Valletta.

Rooted to the bottom of the standings with just six points, Mqabba know that their survival hopes are very remote.

Nevertheless, coach Bobby Giorev has been urging his charges to give a good account of themselves in their remaining Premier League outings.

Results so far: Hibs vs Mqabba 2-0, 1-0.