Valletta defender Luke Dimech (left) shackles Hibs midfielder Jackson Lima. Photo: Chris Sant FournierValletta defender Luke Dimech (left) shackles Hibs midfielder Jackson Lima. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

All games in the Championship Pool are difficult but some are trickier than others.

Indubitably, tomorrow’s encounter with Hibernians is shaping up as another acid test for Valletta whose title hopes are hanging by a thread as they trail leaders Birkirkara by two points with only four games remaining.

Hibernians are out of contention for the title after slipping seven points off the pace but they are still feared opponents, a reputation further cemented by their 1-0 victory over Birkirkara last month which, ironically, went some way towards reviving Valletta’s championship hopes.

Valletta coach Andre Paus is wary of Hibs’ challenge but his side’s business-like performance in last weekend’s 2-0 defeat of Sliema Wanderers has lifted his spirits.

“We must continue on how we played on Sunday,” Paus told Times of Malta.

“Sliema Wanderers are hard-to-beat opponents but we did well against them.

“We controlled the game and they only had three chances. We played well in defence, I was satisfied.

“I always think that we can improve on certain aspects but in general we did a good job on Sunday.

“The players worked very hard and that’s very important for me.”

Anticipating a stiff test for his team tomorrow, Paus acknowledged that Hibs are a talented team.

“I like some of their players,” Paus said.

“I don’t want to mention names but they have some really good players there.

“This game is a big challenge for us. We need to perform well to beat them.

“On paper, Hibs are weaker than us because they are third in the table but they have a solid team.

“If we manage to get a good result against them, it will certainly be a job well done from our side.”

Midfielder Edmond Agius is back in the frame for Valletta after seeing out a one-match ban. Paus is also buoyed by the return of captain Ryan Fenech who missed the Sliema game after hurting his knee in the goalless draw against Birkirkara.

The only absentee for Valletta is Gambian winger Aziz Corr Nyang who is sidelined with injury.

Hibernians may be under less pressure than Valletta after dropping out of the title race but coach Branko Nisevic insisted that his team need the points to tighten their grip on third spot.

“From our point of view, we are going into the game with high spirits,” Nisevic said.

“Our aim is to get points from this match. Our position is solid but not secure as far as qualification for Europe is concerned.”

Judging by their form in the last weeks, Hibs have the potential to influence the title race, moreso after their 1-0 defeat of Birkirkara.

Their performances against the front-runners are bound to be closely scrutinised but Nisevic was at pains to stress that Hibs are not the only team that can take points off Valletta and Birkirkara.

“They (Valletta) have dropped points against Sliema and Mosta,” the Hibs coach remarked.

“It’s not only us who can upset the favourites. The other teams can also give a hard time to the two challengers.”

After going through a difficult period following the departures of Rodolfo Soares and Marcelo Dias in January, Hibs have shown signs of improvement in the last two months.

Nisevic has handed more first-team chances to young players at the expense of some established ones like Andrew Cohen and, in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Mosta, Clayton Failla, but his bold decisions have been vindicated so far.

“In January, we had a bumpy period but our performances and results have improved since then,” Nisevic said.

“In the Championship Pool, our performance in the last game against Mosta was the most disappointing but in the other matches, we did well. I’m satisfied.”

The absence of Jonathan Pearson, suspended, means that Nisevic must again alter his defensive set-up.

Goalkeeper Juergen Borg has not recovered from injury while defender Scott Chircop is out for the rest of the season.

Previous results: Valletta vs Hibernians 2-3, 2-1, 3-1.

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