City - Floriana rivalry on show

With their FA Trophy defence bid in tatters after elimination at the hands of Hibs, Floriana will be determined to get back to winning ways but to do that, they must see off a formidable hurdle in the shape of rivals and champions Valletta.

The derby promises to provide a fitting end to the first phase of this season’s BOV Premier League as both sides will be going all out to win not only to secure bragging rights but also to attain a perfect psycho-logical tonic before the start of the Championship Pool.

With teams tallies to be halved after this round of matches, Valletta’s short-term target is to enter the home stretch with a three-point advantage as they are currently six ahead of Hibs.

Floriana are 13 points off the top but, in one stroke, they can reduce that gap significantly as a win would take them to within five of Valletta who stayed on course for a league and cup double after advancing to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy with a 3-1 win over Mosta.

Jesmond Zerafa, the Valletta coach, believes that a win in tomorrow’s derby (kick-off: 4 p.m.) would bolster his team’s title bid in more ways than one.

“A derby game is always difficult,” Zerafa told The Times.

“The most important thing for us is to retain our advantage so that, after the points have been halved, we will start the Championship Pool with a three-point lead.

“The league begins in the third round and our aim is to maintain our strong position. A win in the derby would further strengthen the players’ confidence.”

Regarded as the team to beat in the Premier League, Valletta are fancied to overcome any opposition in domestic football but Zerafa warned that Floriana will be no pushovers.

“This is never an easy game,” he said.

“The level of expectation is high because both sets of supporters badly want their team to win. Floriana are a tough, compact team.

“They are difficult to break down and, in this context, an early goal would give us a boost.”

Zerafa has a full squad at his disposal. His options have been further reinforced by the return of Terrence Scerri who can finally resume his football career following the end of his court case in relation to the incidents that marred last season’s FA Trophy final between Valletta and Floriana.

Scerri is in line to be included in the City squad for the first time since May as Zerafa welcomed the return of the powerful striker.

“Given that we’re a bit short of Maltese players, the return of Terrence Scerri is like a new signing for us,” Zerafa said. “He has been out for eight months but Scerri is a key component of our team.”

Valletta’s delight at having a proven goalscorer like Scerri rejoining their squad contrasts sharply with Floriana’s upset at the loss of Christian Cassar to a cruciate injury.

On the positive side, Floriana coach Michael Woods can count on Nigerian striker Onome Sodje who is set to make his comeback after recovering from wrist surgery.

Woods hopes that Floriana’s exit from the Trophy will be the catalyst of a fierce assault on a top-two position in the league.

“After going out of the Trophy, we’re now focusing solely on the league,” Woods said.

“Our objective is to challenge for the top two positions and our chances will certainly grow if we win this game as that would leave us only five points behind Valletta at the start of the Championship Pool.”

Last weekend, Floriana went down 1-0 to Hibs in the Trophy, only a week after the two sides had figured in a goalless stalemate.

“If we manage to repeat our performance in the last league match against Hibs, we will stand a good chance of getting something from the derby,” Woods said.

“I know that we’re in for a hard test because Valletta are the strongest team in the league but we have to believe in our abilities.

“We’re looking forward to the game... if we keep our tactical discipline, we can obtain a good result.”

First round: Valletta vs Floriana 1-0.

Balzan, Qormi fight for final top-six spot

Mqabba vs Hibs (today at 14.00, Hibs Stadium).

Hibs have the chance to exert some pressure on Valletta as victory over Mqabba would move the Paolites to within three points of the leaders ahead of their clash with Floriana.

Brazilian playmaker Jackson Lima is suspended for Hibs who are on a high after beating the Greens 1-0 to seal their passage to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy.

Mqabba’s hopes of avoiding a third consecutive defeat have been undermined by the suspension of four players, namely goalkeeper Kris Calleja, David Fenech, Mauro Bonnici and Mark Anthony Psaila.

Julian Briffa is recovering from a knee injury.

First round: Hibs vs Mqabba 4-1.

Marsaxlokk vs Qormi (today at 16.15, Hibs Stadium).

Qormi need to win this game and pray for a slip-up by Balzan to squeeze into the Championship Pool. Only two points separate Balzan and Qormi with only one game remaining before the end of the first phase.

A draw between Balzan and Tarxien coupled with a win for Qormi would set up a decider.

Qormi coach Stephen Azzopardi has called on his players to focus only on their game.

“Whatever happens in the other game, we need these three points,” Azzopardi said. “We must concentrate on our match because these three points are hugely important, regardless of whether we make the top six or not.”

Azzopardi will have to cope without defender Roderick Sammut and Joseph Chetcuti, both suspended, while Nigerian Abubakar Bello-Osagie and Dino Cachia are injured.

Bottom side Marsaxlokk will be seeking to improve on their disjointed performance in the 6-2 defeat to Ħamrun Spartans.

Craig Debattista and Kevin Polidano are out with injuries.

First round: Qormi vs Marsaxlokk 3-1.

Sliema Wanderers vs Mosta (today at 14.00, Tedesco Stadium).

Mosta, whose recent revival was not enough to earn them a place in the Championship Pool, are tipped to offer Sliema a stern challenge in their bid to boost their survival hopes.

Both teams will be without a clutch of key players.

Sliema coach Danilo Doncic must make do without suspended trio Ryan Fenech, Beppe Muscat and Rumen Galabov while Mark Scerri and Andrew Decesare are on the casualty list.

Trevor Cilia and Nikola Bogdanovic, who joined Sliema after being released by Mosta, are doubtful.

Mosta coach Steve D’Amato is also plagued by the absence of Federico Tisbi, Yannick Ossok and Florent Raimy, all suspended. Winger Dyson Falzon is still out with a rib injury and left-back Bryan Agius is rated as doubtful.

First round: Sliema vs Mosta 2-3.

Balzan vs Tarxien (today at 16.15 Tedesco Stadium).

Balzan are a victory away from securing a place in the Championship Pool.

With fellow top-six challengers Qormi expected to beat Marsaxlokk, Balzan know that only a win would seal their passage to the top-six zone.

Coach Ivan Zammit has sent out a strong message to his players.

“Our fate is in our own hands,” Zammit said.

“My priority is that my players show pride and passion for the club. We have important, experienced players who can lead us to a good result but for me, it’s all about giving one’s 100 per cent.

“I have faith in my players. We will play for ourselves, we’re not concerned about our teams.”

Albanian defender Bledjon Guga is ruled out by suspension.

Tarxien Rainbows badly need the points to improve their hopes of staving off the drop.

They moved to strengthen their midfield this week with the signing of Brazilian Luiz Romulo Decastro who last played in El Salvador.

Right-back Justin Grioli will serve the second of a two-match ban while Manuel Caruana and Karl Pulo are injury doubts.

First round: Balzan vs Tarxien 2-1.

Birkirkara vs Ħamrun Spartans (tomorrow at 14.00, National Stadium).

Three points from their clash with relegation strugglers Ħamrun Spartans would go some way towards reigniting Birkirkara’s push for a top-three finish.

Coach Paul Zammit must make one change in defence tomorrow as Rodrigo Pereira must serve a one-match.

Alan Tabone could be included in the squad as he nears the end of his rehab from injury.

Ħamrun come into this match on the back of consecutive wins over Marsaxlokk and St George’s (Trophy).

Coach Stefan Sultana will be hoping that his team maintain their momentum, knowing that a win would raise the Spartans’ morale heading into the potentially bruising Relegation Pool campaign.

Lee James Agius is suspended for Ħamrun and Danish defender Ron Hartvig is struggling to shake off a slight injury.

First round: Birkirkara vs Ħam-run Spartans 4-0.