Marsaxlokk bid to increase gap on wounded Rainbows

Tarxien Rainbows and Marsaxlokk continue their chase of a top-three finish in this season’s BOV Premier League when they square up at the Hibs Stadium this evening (kick-off 8).

With just one point separating the fourth-placed Marsaxlokk and Tarxien, today’s encounter represents a significant test for both teams in their quest to keep their European challenge on track.

These two teams have experienced contrasting fortunes lately. Since sealing their place in the Championship Pool on the final day of the first phase, Marsaxlokk have improved by leaps and bounds, following up their 4-0 win over Floriana with a 1-1 draw against leaders Valletta.

By contrast, Tarxien have been a shadow of the side that caught the eye with a string of excellent results in the opening four months of the season. Three defeats in their last four matches have severely dented the team’s chances of maintaining their high position in the league as the Rainbows have dropped to fifth.

Patrick Curmi, the Marsaxlokk coach, is pleased with the consistent form shown by his players in recent weeks but he is not taking the Rainbows lightly despite their poor form of late.

“We’re expecting a very difficult match against a Tarxien side who will be determined to put their recent disappointments behind them,” Curmi told The Times.

“I’m satisfied with the performance of my players in recent weeks but it’s important that we keep this level of consistency for the remainder of the campaign if we are to maintain our aspirations of finishing second.

“Victory over Tarxien will put us in a very strong position to reach our goal.”

The Marsaxlokk coach can’t pick his strongest formation this evening.

French midfielder Florent Raimy is sidelined with a one-match ban while Alfred Effiong fractured his wrist in his team’s 1-1 draw against Valletta last Sunday. The Nigerian forward is set to be out between three to five weeks. Defender Clive Brincat is still plagued by a hamstring injury.

While Curmi has good cause to be happy with the efforts of his players in the past three weeks, the same cannot be said of Tarxien coach Noel Coleiro who was furious after his team’s abject display in their 5-1 rout to Floriana last Saturday.

The Rainbows coach had a discussion with his players this week to try and rectify the team’s failures, especially in last weekend’s game against Floriana, and is expec-ting a strong response against Marsaxlokk.

“It’s simply unacceptable that, after such a positive showing in the first phase of the championship, the team suddenly loses form and concedes successive defeats with some very poor displays,” Coleiro remarked.

“This week, I had a very frank talk with the players and together we tried to see why we’ve had this slump in form.

“I believe that, after securing our place in the top six, the players lost their focus and faced the second-phase matches with no determination at all and that is something I can’t accept.

“I expect a strong reaction from my players as a positive result against Marsaxlokk can put us back in the race for a top position in the standings. I’m confident the players will deliver.”

Coleiro is boosted by the return of some key players as Brazilian striker Daniel Mariano Bueno and defenders Justin Grioli and Manuel Caruana return from suspension. Midfielder Mark Tanti is the only major absentee as he is out with a long-term knee injury.

Results so far: Tarxien Rainbows vs Marsaxlokk 0-0, 4-2.

Relegation Pool

Sliema and Hibernians kick off proceedings at the Hibs Stadium this evening when they face each other in a Relegation Pool match which was postponed last Monday because of a waterlogged pitch.

Both the Wanderers and the Paolites are in a strong position to avoid a nerve-wracking battle against the drop after winning their opening Relegation Pool matches against Qormi and Vittoriosa Stars respectively.

A win for either side today would all but seal their place in the top flight next season, especially for the Blues who are top of the bottom section with 14 points, three ahead of their imminent opponents.

Danilo Doncic, the Sliema coach, can’t bank on wing-back Alex Muscat who is recovering from a muscle strain while striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza is rated as doubtful after being unwell during the week. Hungarian goalkeeper Viktor Szentpeteri could also miss out after suffering a knee injury during training.

Mark Miller, the Hibs coach, will be without Scottish winger Brian Fairbarn who must serve a one-match ban after his red card in the 2-1 defeat of Vittoriosa Stars.

Results so far: Hibs vs Sliema 0-0, 0-4.

Programme

Today: (Hibs Stadium) 6 p.m. Sliema Wanderers vs Hibernians; 8 p.m. Tarxien Rainbows vs Marsaxlokk.

Tomorrow: (National Stadium) 2 p.m. Floriana vs Ħamrun Spartans; 4 p.m. Birkirkara vs Valletta.