As much of the focus in recent weeks has been on the three-pronged fight for top spot in the Premier League, little attention has been given to Mosta’s ascent up the standings.
Mosta have been in the news after parting company with several players, including Malta inter-nationals Luke Dimech and Daniel Bogdanovic plus winger Ousseni Zongo but coach Steve D’Amato and his squad deserve credit for keeping their focus to all but secure a place in the Championship Pool.
Their progress has been such that a win over top-six hopefuls Tarxien Rainbows this evening would enable Mosta to open up a one-point gap on erstwhile joint-leaders Valletta and Birkirkara before their direct encounter tomorrow afternoon.
Mosta are likely to face a stern challenge from a Tarxien side eyeing redemption after a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Birkirkara.
While acknowledging the significant contribution of the players who have left Mosta in recent weeks, coach D’Amato is hopeful that his team can overcome their absence.
“We will certainly miss those players who have helped us to be in the position we are in today,” D’Amato told The Times.
“I’m pleased with our campaign so far. If we beat Tarxien, we will go top of the league, albeit with a game more, but it was unimaginable that Mosta would be flying so high in the league at this stage of the season.
“There’s no denying that our squad has been weakened by the loss of several important players but my job, and that of the committee, is to try and bring in adequate replacements so that we can remain competitive.
“The signing of Tyrone Farrugia shows our intention to keep going.”
D’Amato must dig deep into his resources to name his team today.
Apart from the departures of Dimech, Bogdanovic, who is the subject of speculation linking him with a move to Valletta, and Zongo, D’Amato can’t bank on Obinna Obiefule after the Nigerian striker suffered a shoulder injury.
Firas Aboulezz, Steve Bezzina and the up-and-coming Kurt Zammit are sidelined with injuries.
An experienced Italian midfielder is training with Mosta but he’s unlikely to be registered in time to play this evening.
There are also doubts over the future of goalkeeper Justin Haber who was expected to join Birkirkara on loan but, at the time of writing, no deal had been reached between the two Premier League clubs.
Tarxien coach Clive Mizzi will demand an improved performance from his team after their lacklustre display against Birkirkara.
Serbian defender Branislav Timotic is set to make his debut for Tarxien this evening after joining the Rainbows on loan from Sliema.
Ryan Sammut is available after serving a one-match ban but Karl Pulo is recovering from a cruciate operation.
In the first round, Tarxien beat Mosta 2-0.
In the opening match, Melita and Balzan will be bidding to claim back-to-back wins after both took maximum points from their last outings.
Balzan snapped a three-match losing run with a 2-1 win over Qormi while Melita further boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 victory over fellow relegation candidates Ħamrun Spartans.
Ivan Zammit, the Balzan coach, is delighted that Brazilian playmaker Pedrinho is still part of his squad as his proposed move to champions Valletta has all but fallen through.
Left-back Renie Forace and Clint Micallef are injured for Balzan while Martin Deanov was expected to join Division One club Birżebbuġa yesterday evening.
Melita coach Patxi Salinas is expected to send out the same formation that started the Ħamrun game.
Michael Valenzia and Nigel Rizzo are still suspended while Julian Galea is out with a broken arm.
In the first round, Balzan won 2-1.
Programme
Today (Tedesco Stadium): 6pm Melita vs Balzan; 8.15pm Mosta vs Tarxien.
Tomorrow (National Stadium): 2pm Qormi vs Floriana; 4pm Valletta vs Birkirkara.
Sunday (Hibs Stadium): 2pm Rabat vs Ħamrun S.; 4pm Hibs vs Sliema W.
Tarxien striker Daniel Mariano Bueno attempts a shot during his side’s win over Mosta in the first round. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi