City, Hibs on collision course

Six points clear at the top, Valletta look on course to retain the title but their solitary defeat to Hibs in the first round cast a long shadow over the capital as it ruined their bid to set a new record for the longest unbeaten run in the league.

This afternoon, Valletta will be looking to banish the memories of that setback as the leading duo go head to head for the second time this season.

If the Citizens will be deadset on taking maximum spoils, Hibs will be equally determined to emulate their first-round win and narrow the gap on their rivals.

Jesmond Zerafa, the Valletta coach, admitted that his team are eager to make amends for their first-round loss to Hibs in which no fewer than three City players saw red.

“It’s an important match but even if we win, the title issue will not be closed,” Zerafa said.

“We were very disappointed when we lost against Hibs. But my players are well-prepared and after a two-week break, everyone is hungry to play football again.”

With only one defeat in 15 games, Hibs earned the right as genuine title challengers.

“They have a strong squad but I have great faith in my players,” Zerafa said.

“In football it’s how you perform on the day that matters most but I’m confident and my players are very enthusiastic about this game.”

Valletta-Hibs has assumed an extra edge in the last few years because of the growing rivalry between the two sets of fans.

“It’s a sporting rivalry and this is good for sport because we all like to see games of this kind,” Zerafa said.

“There will be a good attendance at the stadium so we’ll do our best to play good football and make our supporters happy.”

Roderick Briffa will miss the game due to injury but striker Michael Mifsud is back in the fray after a long lay-off.

New signing Saidou Madi Panandetiguiri ‘Panandiho’, of Burkina Faso, is not expected to be available as his international papers arrived last night.

It was confirmed yesterday that Ryan Fenech will spend the rest of the season away from Valletta.

Fenech joined Sliema Wanderers on a short-term loan deal.

After parting company with injury-prone Brazilian defender Diego Balbinot, Hibs yesterday moved to add their defensive options with the signing of Belgian centre-half Jason Lee Vande-lannoite, formerly of Qormi.

Yet, their build-up to the big clash with Valletta was anything but plainsailing as Ryan Camilleri suffered a cartilage injury which could keep him out for up to six weeks while keeper Mario Muscat missed training for much of the past two weeks due to family reasons.

Adrian Pulis is still sidelined with a hamstring problem and Brazilian forward Marcelo Diaz is suspended.

Hibs coach Mark Miller is hoping that the problems encountered in recent weeks will galvanise his squad.

“We’ve had a very difficult build-up but it can work both ways,” Miller said.

“I’m sure that the arrival of Jason Lee Vandelannoite will give the team a boost because we know that he’s a quality player.

“He’s not 100 per cent fit but I’m sure in the long term he will prove to be a good signing for us.”

Although injuries and Diaz’s suspension will prevent Miller sending out his strongest team today, the Englishman has backed Hibs to create problems to Valletta.

“We’re playing against the best team in the league but we’re the ones who can stretch Valletta,” Miller said.

“We showed this in the first round. It’s a big game and you expect the players to respond to it.

“It’s all about getting the details right and for us, that means not giving Valletta opportunities.”

Asked if the 2-0 win over Valletta in the first round could help to strengthen Hibs’ self-belief and motivation, Miller replied: “You’ve got to ask the players. What it (the first-round result) means is that they (Valletta) are not unbeatable.

“I’m in football because it’s a rollercoaster, full of ups and downs. The moment you think you have it, you lose it.

“Look at Manchester United... they lost two games in five days and how often does that happen?”

First round: Hibs vs Valletta 2-0.

Other matches

Qormi vs Ħamrun (today at 14.00, National Stadium).

Qormi-Ħamrun is expected to unfold into a hard-fought derby as both sides are desperate for victory.

Qormi will be bidding to put their Championship Pool bid back on track while the Spartans must take the three points if they are to revive their slim top-six hopes.

Stephen Azzopardi, the Qormi coach, has a full squad with captain Joseph Farrugia back after recovering from a calf problem.

Ħamrun coach Jesmond Zammit is buoyed by the return from injury of goalkeeper Omar Borg while Lee James Agius has completed his three-match ban. Gaetan Spiteri is out as he serves the last of a four-game suspension.

First round: Qormi vs Ħamrun Spartans 3-2.

Marsaxlokk vs Floriana (tomor-row at 14.00, Hibs Stadium).

Malcolm Licari could make his Floriana debut against his former team if the Greens receive the all clear to complete the registration of the former Pietà marksman.

Christian Caruana and Pablo Doffo are suspended for third-placed Floriana but otherwise coach Michael Woods has no selection problems.

Second-bottom Marsaxlokk have been working hard to improve their financial situation. A host of established players, including Licari and captain Carlo Mamo, have moved on but the Blues have ironed out differences with midfielder Trevor Templeman.

Coach Anton Cremona is keeping his fingers crossed that newly-signed Serbian midfielder Nemanja Boskovic will be available while Craig Debattista was also expected to join Marsaxlokk on loan from Ħamrun.

First round: Floriana vs Marsa-xlokk 4-0.

Sliema vs Birkirkara (tomorrow at 16.00, Hibs Stadium).

Sliema Wanderers’ preparations have been overshadowed by the requests made by Brazilian players Jackson Lima and Jorge Santos Silva to be released.

The wantaway duo are out of this clash with Birkirkara but on the positive side, midfielder Ryan Fenech has joined the Blues from Valletta until June.

Jackson Lima was expected to head in the other direction but failed to agree personal terms with Valletta. The Blues are also keen to sign Alfred Effiong, the Citizens’ Nigerian forward.

Birkirkara only have two foreign players available, Spanish striker Moises Avila Perez and Shola Haruna, as the Stripes have terminated the contracts of Dragan Perisic and keepers Jorge Mora and Aleksandar Canovic.

Rodrigo Pereira is also in talks to rescind his contract.

Keeper Reuben Gauci could make his Stripes debut but defender Andrew Decesare is suspended.

First round: Sliema vs Birkirkara 1-0.