Mark Miller will be facing his recent past this evening as he leads Valletta against his former employers Hibernians in the Euro Cup Matchday Two action at the Centenary Stadium.

Both Valletta and Hibs enjoyed a positive take-off to the new season as the Citizens saw off Floriana 2-1 while the Paolites cantered past Birkirkara 5-0 in last week’s opening matches.

Although this competition is considered as a perfect medium to gain valuable playing time ahead of exertions in UEFA competitions, both Valletta and Hibs will be relishing the prospect of striking an early psychological blow on their opponents in the shape of a victory.

For Miller, it will be the first time that he will come up against Hibernians who he had coached for four successive years.

“For me, the only significance that this match carries is that my team continues to step up preparations for Europe.

“We are three weeks away from our first date in the Champions League so it’s important that all players will have ample time to stake a claim for a first-team place.

“In this regard, we have made a request to extend the number of substitutions in the Euro Cup. It seems the MFA are ready to accede to this request if all teams agree.”

Today, Valletta are expected to hand Dutch goalkeeper Andre Krul his debut.

The 26-year-old signed a short-term contract last week that makes him available for the Champions League.

Miller will have to do without Ryan Fenech, injured, while Terrence Scerri is recovering from hamstring trouble.

Michael Woods, the man chosen by Hibs to replace Miller, saw his charges demolish Birkirkara last Friday.

The FA Trophy holders looked sharp despite having just started pre-season but Woods will have a better idea of his team’s competitive sharpness this evening.

Hibs will be without Luis Edison who sustained an ankle injury in training. Jackson Lima is still unavailable but Woods could be tempted to give a run-out to an Ivory Coast striker currently on trial.

Tomorrow, Floriana and Birkirkara will be hoping for a much-better showing when they go head-to-head at the Centenary Stadium.

The Greens paid dearly for a poor first-half performance against Valletta that left them with a mountain to climb not to finish empty-handed.

Stand-in coach Ivan Woods lost two regulars for this match as defender Owen Bugeja has been ruled out for four weeks with a pulled hamstring and Swedish winger Andre Grabowski is abroad.

However, the Greens are expected to give a run-out to two Spanish players, a defender and an attacking midfielder, who start their trial period today.

Last week, Birkirkara conceded too much space to the pacey Hibs forwards and ended up suffering a heavy defeat.

Coach Paul Zammit will have his defensive options undermined even further as central defender Rodrigo Pereira must serve a one-match ban after his dismissal against Hibs while the industrious Paul Fenech is definitely out with an ankle injury. Gareth Sciberras is also sidelined at the moment for the Stripes.

Programme

Matchday two (Centenary Stadium)
Today: Valletta vs Hibernians.
Tomorrow: Floriana vs Birkirkara

Note: Both kick-offs at 18.30.

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