Valletta may be 10 points clear of Sliema Wanderers but coach Mark Miller is readying his troops for a stern challenge when the two teams go head to head tomorrow at the National Stadium (kick-off 2pm).
Billed as outsiders for the title at the start of the season, Sliema have fallen 14 points off the pace after a disappointing run of results but their second-round clash with Valletta is the perfect opportunity for the Blues to reassert their lofty aspirations.
“Sliema need the points,” Miller told Times of Malta.
“They are a solid side and they’ve done well against the top teams.
“While the smaller teams try to close shop against us, Sliema will probably come out a little and that should make for an interesting match.
“They have signed a new foreign player, a former Bosnia international (Admir Vladavic), and from what I’ve been told, he’s a good signing.”
Miller had been sceptical about Sliema’s title credentials before the first-round meeting but he was more prudent when asked if he felt the same about the Blues.
“I’d have to see what they (Sliema) are doing in the transfer market,” Miller said.
“Obviously, the coach is trying to improve his squad. Sliema have got a good keeper, they are good in all departments. They will try to bring in players who can make them stronger. To me, they already have a good basis of a decent side.
“They will take points off the big guns because they are one of the leading teams.”
Miller doesn’t have a full squad at his disposal. Veteran defender Luke Dimech is out with a meniscus injury and Jason Lee Vandelannoite is struggling with back and hamstring problems.
On the plus side, captain Ryan Fenech and Steve Borg are back from suspension and defender Jonathan Caruana has recovered from injury.
Gambian forward Aziz Corr Nyang has resumed training after being away for 24 days on compassionate leave and there’s a good chance that English striker Lateef Elford-Alliyu will be included in the squad.
The Citizens had been on a nine-match unbeaten run before slipping to a shock 2-1 defeat to Naxxar Lions before Christmas.
A 2-1 victory over Tarxien eased the disappointment of that defeat but Miller knows that his team must embark on a winning run to prove that they have learnt their lessons from the Naxxar setback.
“Nothing has changed,” he said.
“In the Naxxar game, they defended well and put us under pressure on the counter.
“We lost one player (Steve Borg) due to a lack of discipline and we became frustrated.
“We lacked the killer instinct. If you don’t finish off your chances, you’re in trouble. Football is all about winning games. If you don’t get the results, you are under pressure.”
For their part, Sliema are chasing their first victory after back-to-back draws. Coach Alfonso Greco hopes his team step up to the challenge in tomorrow’s game against Valletta.
“It’s an intriguing encounter against one of the strongest squads in the Premier League,” Greco said.
“We hope to do well and improve the results we’ve had lately but, more importantly, we need to produce a very good performance.”
Greco has high hopes that Vladavic, Sliema’s new signing from Bosnia, will add flair to his midfield.
“Vladavic is a player who has a lot of experience,” Greco said.
“He can help us by enhancing the quality of our team.”
Having taken only six points from their last five games, Sliema have been far off their best in the last two months.
“There are two to three reasons behind our struggles of late. We had important players injured, the likes of Stanley Ohawuchi and Abubakar Bello-Osagie,” Greco said.
“We also suffered a physical decline but we’re getting better. The team played well in the second half of our last game against Mosta.”
Qualification for the Europa League remains Greco’s no.1 target but the Italian admitted that he’s also striving to restore Sliema’s reputation as one of the top teams.
“Europe remains our principal objective. We know that we’re still lacking something vis-a-vis the top three teams but we’re always trying to raise the bar,” Greco added.
“We are growing together, the squad, myself as coach of this team, and the club’s administration.”
Winger Trevor Cilia is doubtful after picking up a knock in the 1-1 draw with Mosta but otherwise Greco has no selection worries.
Meanwhile, the Valletta fans are expected to pay tribute to Clive Brincat before kick-off.
An avid City supporter, Brincat lost his life in a traffic accident early yesterday morning.
First round: Valletta vs Sliema Wanderers 3-0.
Barbosa set for Tarxien bow, Hibs lose Dias
Tarxien Rainbows vs Vittoriosa Stars (today at 2pm, Hibs Stadium).
With only one point separating Tarxien and Vittoriosa, their second-round clash has the feel of an early relegation showdown.
Since their 1-0 derby win over Hibs, Tarxien have picked only one point from their last five league outings while Vittoriosa have recorded only one win in their last seven games.
Tarxien coach Clive Mizzi is expected to hand a starting role to the club’s latest signing, William Barbosa.
The Brazilian midfielder is eager to show that he still has what it takes to play in the top flight after a short stint with Division One side St Andrew’s.
Defender Steve Bonnici and Brazilian forward Ronaille are back in the fray for Tarxien after serving a one-match ban.
Wing-back Luca Martinelli is still not 100 per cent fit.
Vittoriosa coach Oliver Spiteri is buoyed by the return from suspension of midfielder Filipe Aguiar. Defender Clive Brincat is also in line for a recall after recovering from injury.
At the time of writing, Vittoriosa were still in discussions with Sliema Wanderers to sign goalkeeper Glenn Zammit on loan until the end of the season.
First round: Tarxien vs Vittoriosa 2-2.
Floriana vs Balzan (today at 2pm, Tedesco Stadium).
Floriana and Balzan are desperate for a win after emerging empty-handed from their last games. The Greens, who went down 3-0 to Birkirkara, need the three points to stay in the hunt for a Championship Pool place.
On the other hand, anything but a victory would all but end Balzan’s fading top-six hopes. Balzan lost 2-0 to Hibs last Sunday.
Ian Dawes, the Floriana coach, must make do without Clyde Borg and Christian Caruana, suspended.
Nigerian defender Ibok Edet is back after seeing out his one-match ban and new Brazilian signing Rodrigo Aguiar is also available.
Balzan coach Jesmond Zerafa is set to give Pedrinho his debut after the club received the Brazilian playmaker’s international transfer certificate. Aaron Agius has joined Division One club Żurrieq on loan.
First round: Floriana vs Balzan 0-0.
Hibernians vs Mosta (today at 4pm, Hibs Stadium).
Hibs coach Branko Nisevic has lost two key players in the past week after Brazilians Rodolfo Soares and Marcelo Dias joined Lebanese club Al-Ahed on loan until the end of the season.
After agreeing a deal to sign Soares, Al-Ahed also succeeded in enticing Dias who had not been expected to leave the Paolites during this transfer window.
Nisevic has been assessing the CV of a number of players with a view to identifying the best replacements for the two Brazilians.
Two foreigners are expected to join Hibs for a trial next week.
In the meantime, Nisevic is hoping that Ryan Camilleri declares himself fit to play as the Malta defender has been suffering from a slight hamstring problem.
Young midfielder Johann Bezzina is still sidelined with an abdominal injury.
Mosta coach Enrico Piccioni is unlikely to make many changes from the 1-1 draw with Sliema. Montenegro striker Bojan Kaljevic is out, suspended.
First round: Hibernians vs Mosta 2-0.
Naxxar Lions vs Rabat Ajax (today at 4.15pm, Tedesco Stadium).
Naxxar Lions will fancy their chances of making it four wins on the run while Rabat Ajax will be looking to reproduce their lively second-half performance in last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Qormi.
David Alejandro Reano could make his bow for Naxxar. The 29-year-old Argentine defender will replace Evaldo who has returned to Brazil for personal reasons.
Midfielder Andre Rocha Da Silva returns after suspension kept him out of the 1-0 win over Vittoriosa Stars.
Winston Muscat, the Naxxar coach, is currently running the rule over a Serbian midfielder.
An ankle injury could deprive Rabat coach Steve D’Amato of striker Ryan Micallef who was named BOV player of the match against Qormi.
First round: Naxxar Lions vs Rabat 2-1.
Qormi vs Birkirkara (tomorrow at 4pm, National Stadium).
Birkirkara, 29 points and nine places above the misfiring Qormi, are widely expected to extend their winning run to 11 successive matches.
Brazilian Jhonnattann and midfielder Ryan Scicluna are back for Birkirkara after missing the 3-0 defeat of Floriana because of suspension.
Daniel Zerafa is still sidelined with an abdominal strain.
Off colour in their goalless stalemate against Rabat, Qormi need to step up their game significantly if they are to stand a chance of taking something from their clash with the leaders.
Qormi, now under the guidance of Karel Zeman, have parted ways with Italians Marco Petrassi and Giuseppe Bellucci while Ghanaian forward Abudulai Issaka is also expected to be released.
Leighton Grech returns from suspension.
First round: Birkirkara vs Qormi 1-1.