Close contest in prospect as City square up to rivals Floriana

If Valletta's fixture against Qormi, postponed last Saturday because of a waterlogged pitch at the Hibs Ground, had been described as tricky, the test awaiting them this afternoon can be safely branded as incendiary for the champions will lock horns with neighbouring rivals Floriana.

Today's derby, kicking off at 3 p.m., is indubitably the plum fixture of this weekend's three-match programme and the first to be staged at the National Stadium in five weeks. It is also the first clash between Valletta and Floriana this season and the proximity of the two teams in the fledgling Premier League standings raises the prospect of a close contest.

Floriana have so far defied pre-season predictions of a grim fight to avoid the Relegation Pool as they are currently fourth in the table with 12 points, two ahead of Valletta who have a game in hand. The Citizens are the only unbeaten team in the top flight so far but they have drawn four of their opening six matches.

Deprived of competitive football for seven weeks, Valletta will be itching to get back to business knowing that a victory over Floriana would provide a massive psychological boost. On the other hand, the Greens will surely take heart from their encouraging start to the season as well as from their progress to the FA Trophy quarter-finals after successive wins over Division One teams.

Valletta coach Paul Zammit is concerned about the shortage of match practice for his team in the last seven weeks but he is also hopeful that their work on the training pitch will reap the desired dividends.

"We haven't had one competitive match for seven weeks and that's a long time," Zammit told The Times.

"Looking on the bright side of things, I've done my best to gain maximum benefit from this break with specific work aimed at bolstering our physical and tactical capabilities."

Despite his attempts to sound upbeat, Zammit could not help but voice his frustration at the state of affairs in the local game.

"There has been a long pause from Premier League football in the October-November period but this has been the norm for several years, so we have to adapt," he said.

"However, I feel that not enough is being done to address the problems affecting clubs and Maltese football in general."

Shifting his focus to the task at hand, i.e. the duel with Floriana, Zammit commented: "The postponement of our match against Qormi meant that we would resume our league campaign with a derby against Floriana. This match is the first of a series of important fixtures for our team.

"I hope that the derby brings the best out of my team. It's time that we start to find our feet and improve our consistency because in our first six outings this season, I've only seen flashes of the football I expect from my team."

Two Valletta players are certain to miss today's derby. Cleaven Frendo is still recovering from ankle surgery and Dyson Falzon is out with a tear in his hamstring.

Floriana coach Zoran Popovic is back in Malta after visa-related complications had delayed his return from a visit to Serbia, forcing him to miss his team's FA Trophy wins over Dingli (3-0) and St Patrick (1-0).

Goalkeeper Dejan Maksic was also a notable absentee from Floriana's outings in the KO but he's expected to be in the starting XI today.

Popovic said yesterday he was waiting for the doctor's assessment on some players who have been struggling with knocks but he is confident of having a full squad available today.

"There is great motivation among the players ahead of the derby," Popovic, who succeeded Danilo Doncic as Floriana coach, said. "Everyone is determined to put up a strong challenge and give Valletta a rough ride.

"This is a needle match and there's more pressure on the team but that's normal. It's easy for me as coach to pick the team because I know that whoever plays will give his 100 per cent."

Popovic admits that the Greens are in for a tough time against the champions but he's cautiously optimistic about Floriana's chances of upsetting their rivals.

"Valletta have a strong squad," Popovic said. "Experience is not lacking in their team because they have several national team players, including Gilbert Agius who, in my opinion, has been the top Maltese player for a long time.

"I've got great respect for Valletta but I also have faith in the abilities of my players."

The other matches

Msida SJ vs Marsaxlokk (tomorrow at 1.30 p.m., Tedesco Stadium).
Third from bottom with only six points from eight matches, Marsaxlokk cannot afford to drop further adrift of the top-six zone.

For their part, Msida, who have 10 points from eight matches, will be looking to bounce back from their 2-1 upset to Sliema Wanderers.

Patrick Curmi is buoyed by the return of Brazilian midfielder Andre Rocha Da Silva who missed Sunday's defeat due to suspension.

Marsaxlokk coach Brian Talbot has no choice but to change his starting line-up from Sunday's 1-1 draw with Birkirkara after William Camenzuli and Carlo Mamo received a one-match ban in midweek. Brazilian defender Renato Conceicao is out with a knee injury.

Hamrun Spartans vs Qormi (tomorrow at 3.30 p.m., Tedesco Stadium).
Sparks are expected to fly in tomorrow's second match as relegation-threatened Hamrun Spartans take on Qormi.

A hard-fought, tense encounter between these two teams in the FA Trophy two weeks ago, has given this clash an extra edge.

Bottom of the table with only two points from seven matches, Hamrun will hope that two wins on the trot in the FA Trophy, including a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Qormi, will trigger a much-needed revival of their league fortunes.

Coach Steve D'Amato will also be keen on maintaining his perfect record since he replaced Marco Gerada at the helm of the Spartans.

Brazilian defender Alex Noronha is still sidelined for the Spartans and striker Steve Meilaq is rated as doubtful. Striker Gaetan Spiteri is suspended.

Qormi coach Jesmond Zerafa must make at least one alteration from the team that lost to the Spartans in the Trophy.

Midfielder Keith Fenech was sent off in that match and must serve his ban against the Spartans after Qormi's match against Valletta was postponed last weekend. This match has been rescheduled for December 11.