City keen to regain winning touch

Floriana vs Vittoriosa Stars (today at 3 p.m., National Stadium).

Floriana are under increasing pressure to raise their performances after they struggled to see off a Ħamrun Spartans team who played with nine men for most of the second half.

Todor Raykov, Floriana’s Bulgarian coach, is sweating on the fitness of Kiril Dzhorov after the veteran midfielder sustained an ankle injury during Sunday’s 2-1 win over the Spartans.

There are also question marks over the condition of Tunisian goalkeeper Lofti Saidi and defenders Tyrone Farrugia and Ivailo Sokolov who have minor injuries.

Vittoriosa Stars are still looking for their first victory in the Premier League after losing their opening four matches.

Coach Winston Muscat was gutted after his side’s 1-0 defeat to Sliema Wanderers as he felt that Vittoriosa had played well enough to deserve at least a point.

Flank defenders Pierre Aquilina and Justin Camilleri have joined Brazilian midfielder Edison on Vittoriosa’s casualty list. Nigerian striker Anthony Ewurum is rated doubtful.

Valletta vs Tarxien Rainbows (today at 5 p.m., National Stadium).

Valletta have high hopes of getting back in winning groove after their 2-2 draw with Birkirkara but Tarxien will be no pushovers.

Although the Rainbows have endured a stuttering start to the season, they are widely perceived as dangerous opponents and Valletta need only look at their games with Tarxien last season to realise that their match this afternoon will not be a stroll in the park.

The Citizens, who drew two league matches with Tarxien last term, will not be at full strength this evening as captain Gilbert Agius (calf), Nigerian Omonigo Temile (ankle) and Kenneth Scicluna (hernia) are out of the picture.

Brazilian playmaker Denni will be playing his first match against Tarxien Rainbows since his close-season switch to Valletta.

Tarxien surrendered a one-goal lead in their 2-1 defeat to Qormi last Monday but coach Noel Coleiro was pleased with the team’s performance.

Ricardo Costa has a slight hamstring strain but the Brazilian is expected to declare himself fit to face Valletta.

Hibs vs Ħamrun Spartans (tomorrow at 5 p.m, National Stadium).

Victory is a must for Hibs and Ħamrun Spartans after a spate of disappointing results.

After beating Floriana in their opening encounter, Hibs have taken only two points from their last three games while Ħamrun have suffered back-to-back defeats after gaining maximum points from their first two matches.

Mark Miller, the Hibs coach, must make do without defender Ryan Camilleri who is likely to be sidelined for three months with a hamstring problem.

Andrew Cohen’s participation in tomorrow’s game is in the balance as the Hibs playmaker spent most of last week in the treatment room after receiving a hard knock to his shin in the 2-2 draw with Marsaxlokk.

Ħamrun Spartans are still counting the cost of their controversial 2-1 loss to Floriana. Defenders Martin Hrubsa and Steve Bonnici are ruled out by suspension after both saw red last weekend.

Steve D’Amato, the Ħamrun coach, could also be without Scottish forward Dene Shields who sustained a knee injury in the game against Floriana. Midfielders Mead Mifsud and Jonathan Holland are still recovering from injuries.

On the positive side, the Spartans have increased their attacking options after completed the signing of Nigerian-born forward Peter Anizoba.

Sliema Wanderers vs Qormi (Monday at 7.30 p.m., National Stadium).

Stephen Azzopardi, the Qormi coach, will be facing Sliema for the first time since his exit from the Wanderers midway through last season.

The two sides go into Monday’s match in high spirits after both emerged victorious from their last games. Sliema edged out Vittoriosa 1-0 while Qormi came from behind to beat Tarxien 2-1.

Mark Marlow, the Sliema Wanderers coach, has to make at least one change from the team that started the match against Vittoriosa as flank defender Beppe Muscat is suspended.

Marlow’s options on the flanks are further diluted by the injury-related absences of Alex Muscat, Clayton Failla and Steve Bezzina.

For his part, Azzopardi is expected to retain faith in the 11 players who began Monday’s game against the Rainbows.

Luke Sciberras is still out with a knee injury while Jonathan Bondin (adductor) and Ben Camilleri (hamstring) are engaged in a race against time to prove their fitness.