Stripes primed for stiff test

Top place in the Premier League has been inhabited by a host of different teams so far this season.

Birkirkara, level in second place with Valletta on 20 points, have a chance to go back to the top and turn up the heat on current leaders Hibs this afternoon. Victory over Floriana would take Birkirkara one point above Hibs before the latter's clash with Qormi tomorrow. However, three points for the Stripes can't be taken as a foregone conclusion.

Floriana may not be regarded among the contenders for the title but their positive run has sent shockwaves through the Premier League with the top teams careful not to underestimate their threat.

Led by Zoran Popovic, the Greens are fifth on 18 points, two behind their imminent opponents and only four adrift of the summit.

Floriana have proved their doubters wrong so far but their progress has not come as a surprise to John Buttigieg, the Birkirkara coach.

"Before the start of a season, there is always a lot of talk by the 'experts' about the prospects of every team in the Premier League," Buttigieg replied when asked if Floriana have exceeded expectations so far.

"In the summer, Floriana signed some experienced players. We all know what the likes Orosco Anonam and Pablo Doffo can offer and their goalkeeper (Dejan Maksic) even has Champions League experience.

"People often neglect the fact that Floriana are practically playing with five foreigners because they have Anonam and Sunday Eboh (two Nigerian-born players who have a Maltese passport). Also, their upcoming players look very interesting."

Invited to assess the difficulty of today's assignment for his team, Buttigieg said: "I've been saying since the start of the season that the league this year is going to be balanced. All games are difficult and this one is no different."

Buttigieg must make at least one change from the team that defeated Tarxien 1-0 last weekend after midfielder Paul Fenech received a one-match ban. Left-back Joseph Zerafa returns from suspension but defender Lee Lombardi is still recuperating from a hernia operation.

Yantchev's replacement

Birkirkara are expected to sign Bulgarian defender Ivalio Sokolov to replace Emil Yantchev when the transfer window re-opens next month.

Sokolov, who left a good impression on Buttigieg during a trial last month, has been given permission by FC Vihren, of Bulgaria, to join Birkirkara on loan until the end of the season.

Floriana may also be tempted to look for reinforcements in January to step up their chase for a UEFA Cup spot, provided they stay in touch with the front-runners over the next few weeks.

Morale is high at Floriana after two wins on the trot but Popovic is sweating over the fitness of key players before this afternoon's match.

Defender Clyde Camoin is certain to be out after incurring a one-match suspension. Anonam, whose dynamic displays this season suggest that he is rediscovering his best form, is doubtful after a suspected fractured cheekbone in the 1-0 victory over Ħamrun Spartans. Defender Julian Briffa is still unfit and other Floriana players have been struggling to shake off knocks they picked up last weekend. Popovic acknowledged that he may have to draft more young players in his first team but he's not downcast.

"I still believe that we can offer Birkirkara a strong challenge," the Serb coach told The Times.

"At the start of the season, I told my players that they would be given the chance to show their worth and some of the younger ones may get that opportunity in this match.

"We are in for another difficult test. I have great respect for Birkirkara whom I consider as one of the best teams in Malta."

Having returned to the summit thanks to a 2-0 victory over neighbouring rivals Tarxien Rainbows at a windswept Centenary Stadium on Thursday, Hibs have good cause to be upbeat about their chances of closing the week as undisputed leaders.

Tomorrow, at the Hibs Ground (kick-off 2.45 p.m.), the Paolites will take on strugglers Qormi whose confidence has been hit hard by a depressing run of four successive defeats as well as by the loss to injury of their two key strikers, Nigerian Alfred Effiong and Brazilian Josivan Da Silva.

Hibs needed a moment of individual brilliance from the in-form Clayton Failla to break the deadlock against Tarxien. Andrew Cohen then sealed the issue by converting a hotly-disputed penalty early in the second half but their performance on the day was anything but impressive, although the adverse weather was hardly conducive to flowing football.

Coach Mark Miller must be satisfied with his side's progress, especially with their efficiency in front of goal for Hibs have the best scoring record so far with 29 goals from 10 games. Nonetheless, the Englishman will be hoping for a better showing from his team tomorrow as Hibs look to keep their noses ahead of the rest in the table.

Defender Jonathan Caruana has yet to recover from a cartilage injury that forced him to miss Thursday's derby but otherwise Miller has a full squad at his disposal.

Qormi coach Jesmond Zerafa will have been pleased with his team's fighting spirit in their 2-0 defeat to Valletta on Wednesday but Da Silva's mishap has put further strain on the team's striking resources.

Apart from Effiong, sidelined with a broken leg, and Da Silva, Qormi will also be without Joseph Farrugia as the former Sliema midfielder is laid low by a muscle injury.

First round - Hibs vs Qormi 3-1; Floriana vs Birkirkara 1-0.