Balzan’s forays into the transfer market have left no-one in doubt about their top-four ambitions.

Tomorrow, the Reds will be bidding to cement their grip on fourth spot but their task promises to be anything but plainsailing as they will be facing a resurgent Floriana side who are also aiming high after back-to-back victories lifted them to fifth, only one point behind their imminent opponents.

Oliver Spiteri, the Balzan coach, is heading into the game in buoyant mood after his team’s 5-0 thrashing of Tarxien last weekend but he has a lot of respect for Floriana.

“There is no doubting the importance of this game,” Spiteri told Times of Malta.

“We are facing a team who are coming from two straight wins, scoring eight goals in the process.

“Floriana are probably playing their best football this season.

“We know that we have to be well-prepared and give more than our 100 per cent to win this match.”

Backed by the financial clout of Anton Tagliaferro, their Australia-based sponsor, Balzan pulled off the first major transfer coup of the winter window after signing highly-rated Montenegrin forward Bojan Kaljevic from Mosta.

Last weekend, Spiteri also gave a debut to promising midfielder Terrence Agius, who joined from Pietà Hotspurs, but Kaljevic must wait for his Balzan bow as he is yet to complete a three-match ban.

Balzan have also secured the signature of young Italian striker Edoardo Capocelli who formed part of the youth squad of Serie A side Torino.

For tomorrow’s game, Spiteri is also boosted by the return from suspension of Chilean midfielder Edison Zarate but Colombian forward Oscar Guerrero must serve the second of a two-match suspension.

Spiteri acknowledged that Floriana are not short of firepower with Matteo Piciollo, Vito Plut and Amadou Samb, back from suspension, leading the line but warned that Balzan also have plenty of attacking ammunition.

“Floriana’s foreign strikers are very strong,” the Balzan coach remarked.

“They also have a smart coach who, tactically, is getting the best out of his players.

“That said, we have reason to be optimistic. We have now gone four matches without defeat and the 5-0 victory over Tarxien has further enhanced the players’ confidence.

“This was also evident during training this week but we must stay grounded.”

While Balzan are on a mission to break into the top four, Spiteri insisted that the club’s vision transcends the current season.

“We are working on a three- to four-year plan,” Spiteri remarked.

“The new signings have been handed long-term contracts.

“I believe that, with the squad we have, we can finish fourth this term.”

Floriana coach Giovanni Tedesco has no doubts that Balzan have what it takes to make the top four but has high hopes that his young team will maintain their upward trend.

“Balzan have a lot of quality,” Tedesco said. “They certainly have everything in place to make the top four.

“Our squad is still growing. They (Balzan) have more certainties than us in the sense that they have signed established players like Kaljevic whereas most of our players are still maturing.

“We have promising youngsters like Conor Borg, Neil Spiteri and goalkeeper Tyrone Gauci.

“You have to be patient with young players because they tend to do well in one game but struggle in the next.

“Generally speaking, I’m very satisfied with our team’s progress this season but you lose one game and things change.”

After going down 4-1 to rivals Valletta in the derby, Floriana have taken seven points from their last three games. Last Saturday, they trounced Naxxar Lions 4-1.

“We’ve picked 10 points from our last five games,” Tedesco said.

“We’ve beaten Naxxar and Żebbuġ after drawing both games in the first round.

“Certainly, we’ve done better in the second round. I’ve told my players that we ought to be pleased that we are facing Balzan in an important game with fourth place in the table at stake.

“We need to approach the game in a positive frame of mind.”

Tedesco is currently giving a trial to two Japanese players but Floriana are unlikely to have any newcomers in their squad tomorrow.

Defender Andrè Scicluna and goalkeeper Valerio Senatore are sidelined with injuries.

First round: Floriana vs Balzan 1-1.