Stripes pose uphill task for misfiring Spartans

Rooted to the bottom of the table with only two points from five matches, Ħamrun Spartans cannot afford to lose further ground if they are to challenge for a place in the Championship Pool.

A fluid performance and victory would go some way to lift the Spartans' battered morale but they would need to raise their performance level by several notches to chalk up their first win. This evening, they must contend with a Birkirkara team who are leading the Premier League with 10 points along with Hibernians.

Both Birkirkara and Ħamrun failed to gain maximum points in their last outings but they encountered teams at opposite ends of the Premier League spectrum. Whereas the Stripes took a point off champions Valletta in a 2-2 draw, the Spartans came from behind to salvage a point from their meeting with the newly-promoted Tarxien Rainbows.

Birkirkara coach John Buttigieg is not expected to effect drastic changes to the team that showed sound tactical organisation and fighting spirit in holding Valletta to a draw.

Winger Trevor Cilia and defender Lee Lombardi are still sidelined with injuries but otherwise Buttigieg has a full squad at his disposal.

Marco Gerada, the beleaguered Ħamrun coach, has no selection worries for today's match. The Spartans' struggles to break down the Tarxien defence last weekend could induce Gerada to make a few personnel changes today with Diego Armando Cucciardi pushing hard for a first-team recall. The Ħamrun forward came off the bench to rescue his side with an 82nd-minute equaliser against the Rainbows.

Programme (all National Stadium)
Today: 7.30 p.m. Ħamrun S. vs Birkirkara.
Tomorrow: 4 p.m. Sliema W. vs Tarxien R.; 6 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Hibs.
Sunday: 4 p.m. Qormi vs Floriana; 6 p.m. Valletta vs Msida St Joseph.