Valletta chase win to stay in title hunt

Valletta are widely expected to go into their clash with Tarxien Rainbows with all guns blazing in the knowledge that victory today would serve a double purpose.

A three-point haul from this evening's match at the National Stadium (kick-off at 5 p.m.), their fifth against the Rainbows this season, would keep the Citizens in the title hunt as well as pepping up their morale ahead of the eagerly-anticipated National League 100 Anniversary Cup final against rivals Floriana on Tuesday.

On Thursday, Valletta received a tonic as their U-18 team sealed the league title with a 4-0 victory over Floriana.

"This is a very interesting period for us," Valletta coach Ton Caanen said.

"On Tuesday, we have the final against Floriana and we're into the last five weeks of the league campaign. This is the month of truth for Valletta.

"The positive thing is that the players are feeling good. Thanks to our victory over Birkirkara in the FA Trophy, we proved to ourselves that we are a good team and that we have the quality to beat anyone.

"We now have three games in six days, Saturday, Tuesday and Friday, and this is not easy but this is why we have a large squad.

"Birkirkara are under pressure not to drop points. We are hoping for a lifeline but we are concentrating on our games."

Caanen has no option but to reshape his defence today as centre-half Luke Dimech and right-back Steve Borg are ruled out by suspension. Defender Kenneth Scicluna is available after recovering from injury.

With the Anniversary Cup final just days away, Caanen admits that it's difficult for the players to keep Tuesday's match out of their heads but he's not unduly concerned.

"You can't delete it (the cup final) from their minds because it's an important match," Caanen said.

"But, when the game against Tarxien starts, I'm 100 per cent sure that the players will focus completely on the job at hand."

It has taken Tarxien a while to find their feet in the Championship Pool but they have gained four points from their last two league outings and are also buoyed by their progress to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy after a 2-0 win over Balzan Youths.

"Our aim is to offer a stiff challenge to Valletta," Noel Coleiro, the Tarxien coach, said. "We want to produce a good performance against the best team. Although Birkirkara are leading the table, I still regard Valletta as the strongest outfit in the Premier League.

"I also want to see an improved showing from my team because I wasn't happy with how we played against Balzan in the FA Trophy semi-finals, especially in the second half.

"But, this is a different game altogether. The motivation is high because of the strength of the opposition. My players know that they have to give their 120 per cent to stop Valletta from putting on a show."

Coleiro can pick his team from a full squad today.

Previous results - Valletta vs Tarxien 2-2, 2-2, 6-2.