Birkirkara out to reclaim initiative in European race

Birkirkara will be aiming to wrest the initiative back from Floriana in the race for third spot and qualification to Europe when they take on neighbours Balzan Youths this evening at the Tedesco Stadium (kick-off 8.15).

The Greens climbed one place and one point above Birkirkara after their come-from-behind 3-1 win over Sliema Wanderers on Saturday but the Stripes will reclaim third place if they see off Balzan.

Floriana’s victory in the Old Firm derby will have raised the pressure on Birkirkara but coach Paul Zammit maintained that he was only focusing on his team.

“I prefer to concentrate on our games,” Zammit told The Times.

“The results of other teams make no difference to us and how we approach our games. The bottom line is that, if we win our matches, we will reach our objective.”

Unbeaten in their last six matches, Birkirkara are widely fancied to extend their positive run against an unpredictable Balzan side who have gained only one point in their last four games.

Not that Zammit is taking Balzan lightly. “In the first two rounds, Balzan gave a hard time to everyone and this is reflected in their top-six position,” the Birkirkara coach said.

“Our performances have been quite good in the last few weeks but we need to remain consistent. I was not exactly happy with our showing in the game against Sliema and our aim is to bounce back, collectively.”

Zammit is expected to restore Shola Shodiya Haruna to his starting XI after the Nigerian forward served his one-match ban.

Another boost to Zammit’s attacking resources is provided by the return of Spanish striker Moises Avila-Perez who has seen out his two-match suspension.

Midfielder Paul Fenech has failed to recover from an ankle sprain after receiving a heavy knock in the 1-1 draw with Sliema.

Zammit is also concerned about the fitness of Ryan Scicluna and Rodrigo Pereira, both struggling with knocks to their knees, and Brazilian Jorge (quad strain).

Balzan may have reached their Championship Pool target but they risk becoming the whipping boys among the elite if they fail to stop the rot.

Coach Ivan Zammit can’t bank on a full complement as Jonathan Francica must serve the second of a two-match ban and Roderick Farrugia is also suspended.

On the positive side, Serbian midfielder Nikola Tasic returns after suspension kept him out of the 4-1 loss to Hibs.

Results so far: Birkirkara vs Balzan Youths 2-1, 4-0.

Marsaxlokk vs Tarxien Rainbows (today at 6 p.m., Tedesco Stadium).

This is a veritable relegation six-pointer as Marsaxlokk and Tarxien Rainbows are occupying the bottom two places in the table.

For the seemingly doomed Marsaxlokk, this game represents probably their last chance to resurrect their survival hopes as they are six points adrift at the foot of the table and seven away from third-from-bottom Mqabba and Mosta.

Tarxien are still in the thick of the relegation fight but anything less than a victory would deal a hammer blow to their chances as their 2-1 defeat to Ħamrun Spartans left them second-from-bottom.

Patrick Curmi, the Tarxien coach, could make some changes to his starting formation in light of his team’s inept showing against the Spartans. Midfielder Mark Tanti is still injured.

Marsaxlokk coach Anton Cremona will not have been pleased with his team’s meek performance in the 5-1 defeat to Mosta but he can’t revamp his formation as his resources are very limited.

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

Ħamrun Spartans vs Mqabba (tomorrow at 6 p.m., Hibs Stadium).

Ħamrun Spartans will be vying to extend their unbeaten streak in the Relegation Pool as they look to gain revenge for their 2-0 defeat to Mqabba in the corresponding second-round match.

Now five points away from the drop zone, Ħamrun will pull further clear of their relegation rivals but their task will not be easy as Mqabba will be equally determined to take maximum spoils.

Striker Gaetan Spiteri is out for Ħamrun after getting a one-match ban but Steve Bonnici returns from suspension.

Captain Rupert Mangion is pushing for a first-team recall after completing his recovery from injury but Scottish winger Dene Shields is doubtful after suffering a slight injury during training.

Mqabba gave away a 1-0 lead in losing 2-1 to Qormi last week.

Coach Clive Mizzi must make do without combative midfielder David Fenech, suspended, but defender Julian Briffa is in contention for a first-team recall after serving his one-match ban.

Marlon Briffa is still not fully fit due to a nagging groin injury.

Results so far: Ħamrun vs Mqabba 3-2, 0-2.

Mosta vs Qormi (tomorrow at 8 p.m., Hibs Stadium).

Top of the Relegation Pool, Qormi will make a giant step towards securing their top-flight status if they take three points from their clash with Mosta.

Third from bottom on 16 points, Mosta still have a lot to do to ease their relegation woes but, having halted a three-match winless run with a 5-1 rout of Marsaxlokk, the Blues know that another win tomorrow would further improve their survival hopes.

Qormi coach Stephen Azzopardi is hoping to recover a host of players who have been struggling with injuries. Captain Joseph Farrugia has an ankle problem, Jonathan Bondin complained of pain in his upper ribs and Roderick Sammut has been feeling discomfort in his thigh.

Nigerian winger Abubakar Bello-Osagie is suspended while Federico Mirarchi and Dino Cachia are long-term absentees.

Mosta coach Steve D’Amato may have to make do without Dyson Falzon. The on-loan winger has yet to recover from a knock he suffered in the closing stages of the Marsaxlokk game.

Results so far: Mosta vs Qormi 1-4, 1-0.

Current standings