City out to cement top spot

Galvanised by their bright display in the 4-1 victory over Birkirkara, Valletta will be aiming to strengthen their grip on top spot when they take on Championship Pool hopefuls Balzan Youths this evening (kick-off 20.15).

Having come under increased pressure to collect maximum points from their last two matches after Hibs won their games to temporarily trim the gap at the top to one point, Valletta will now be relishing the prospect of turning up the heat on their title rivals as victory over Balzan would take them seven points clear.

Such is Valletta’s elevated status in Maltese football that they are expected to win every match, irrespective of their opponents. A victory over Balzan is seen as a formality by many but the champions will be wary about facing sturdy opponents who have pulled off some upsets at the Tedesco Stadium this season.

Sixth in the table and pushing hard for a place in the Championship Pool, Balzan will be ultra motivated to take something from their clash with the champions.

Jesmond Zerafa is unlikely to make significant changes from the team that outclassed Birkirkara last weekend but the availability of Aleksandr Cekulajevs poses a healthy selection dilemma for the City coach.

The Latvian striker, scorer of 46 goals in the Estonian top league last season, was not in the squad last weekend but Valletta have since received the Malta FA go-ahead to field Cekulajevs who is in line to make his debut today.

It also emerged yesterday that Valletta are set to engage the services of an Italian physical trainer, Daniele Angeloni, who is due to arrive here today.

Balzan Youths were delighted to rescue a point from their clash with Floriana after hitting back from two goals down but injuries and suspensions have hampered their build-up for today’s meeting with the leaders.

Clifton Ciantar and Nikola Tasic are suspended and Jonathan Francica and Jamie Pace are rated as doubtful. Dylan Grima is still out because of illness. Silvan Ciscaldi (knee) and Roderick Farrugia (back) are sidelined with injuries.

In the first round, Valletta beat Balzan 2-0.

Mosta and Mqabba lift the curtains on this weekend’s six-match BOV Premier League programme when they meet in today’s opening match.

A hard-fought encounter is envisaged between two teams who are level on 20 points. Both sides are coming from a defeat but whereas Mosta earned admiration for a battling display in a 2-1 loss to Hibs, Mqabba never got going in their 4-1 defeat to Qormi.

Mosta coach Steve D’Amato is boosted by the return of several first-team players who missed the Hibs game, namely Ian Zammit, Adrian Borg, Florent Raimy, Kurt Magro and Federico Tisbi. Winger Dyson Falzon is out with a rib injury while Cameroonian defender Yannick Ossok is doubtful because of flu.

Clive Mizzi, the Mqabba coach, will surely demand a bold response from his players after their dismal showing against Qormi. The return from suspension of Branislav Timotic should steady things at the back for Mqabba but Mark Anthony Psaila is out after receiving a two-match ban in midweek.

Julian Briffa is also expected to miss today’s game after suffering a knee injury during last week’s game against Qormi.

The first-round match between Mqabba and Mosta ended one-all.

Programme

Today: Tedesco Stadium – 18.00 Mosta vs Mqabba; 20.15 Valletta vs Balzan Youths.

Tomorrow: National Stadium – 14.00 Tarxien vs Birkirkara; 16.00 Floriana vs Hibs.

Sunday: Hibs Stadium – 14.00 Qormi vs Sliema; 16.00 Ħamrun vs Marsaxlokk.