Hibs’ wing-back Clayton Failla (right) powers forward during the first-round match against Balzan. Photo: Chris Sant FournierHibs’ wing-back Clayton Failla (right) powers forward during the first-round match against Balzan. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Hibernians’ ascendancy this season has been such that they go into their second-round league encounter with Balzan tomorrow with a massive 24-point lead over their fourth-placed opponents.

It is equally true, though, that Balzan have been on an upward trend in the last two years to the point that they are now regarded as genuine contenders for a top-four finish and a possible crack at European football next season.

Branko Nisevic, the Hibs coach, is not underestimating the threat posed by Balzan who have taken maximum points from their last three games.

“Of course, we’re not taking Balzan lightly,” Nisevic told Times of Malta ahead of tomorrow’s game at the National Stadium (2pm).

“In the first-round match, they (Balzan) were organised tactically but we managed to score three goals from set-pieces.

“I believe that our opponents will be disciplined, tactically, and determined to show their qualities.”

Balzan are widely seen to possess a dangerous attack featuring the likes of Gianmarco Piccioni, Oscar Guerrero and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, but their midfield has also impressed Nisevic.

“They have good quality in attack but they are also strong in midfield,” the Hibs coach said. “Nigerian midfielder Ice Cream Guobadia, Edison Zarate and Lydon Micallef are all good players.”

Fifteen points clear at the top, Hibernians started 2015 with back-to-back wins over Żebbuġ Rangers (5-2) and Naxxar Lions (2-0) but they have not been at their vintage best after the Christmas break.

Nisevic agreed that the leaders have not been in top form lately but he’s not concerned.

“We knew that, at one point, our performance level was going to drop because you can’t maintain the same form for 10 months,” Nisevic said.

“It’s a fluctuating process as a team’s form can go up and down but the most important thing is that we’re still winning games.

“We’re not playing as good as before but we are solid in defence and we are still scoring goals.”

Rui De Gracia Gomes is unavailable for Hibs as the towering defender is on duty with Equatorial Guinea at the African Cup but otherwise Nisevic has no selection worries.

Brazilian Marcelo Dias is in line to make his comeback after recovering from an ankle problem.

Oliver Spiteri, the Balzan coach, believes that the game against the leaders could not have come at a better time for his buoyant team.

“It’s certainly a good test for us,” Spiteri said.

“Our confidence is high as we are coming from three consecutive wins. I think that this is the best time for us to play against Hibernians.”

In their last outing, Balzan cemented their grip on fourth spot after a 3-2 win over direct rivals Floriana.

Although Spiteri was not entirely happy with his team’s second-half performance against opponents who played with 10 men for an hour, he was pleased with the result.

“The win over Floriana was important for our morale,” Spiteri observed.

“We didn’t play particularly well in the second half but there is no doubt that the three points boosted our self-belief.”

Balzan suffered a 3-0 defeat to Hibs in the corresponding first-round fixture but Spiteri is adamant that his team will not repeat the costly mistakes that marred their showing in that November game.

“A game of football is over 90 minutes and anything can happen,” Spiteri said.

“In the first round, we lost 3-0 to Hibernians and all the goals came from set-piece situations.

“We have been working hard to eliminate the mistakes we were committing in games and I’m optimistic that the players will be more alert and attentive this time around.

“We need to be 100 per cent focused because we are playing against the top team in the championship whose amazing record of 17 wins in 18 games says everything about their potential.”

Spiteri must make one change in defence as Clive Brincat is suspended. Montenegrin striker Bojan Kaljevic, signed from Mosta in this month’s transfer window, is still out as he has yet to complete a three-match ban.

On the plus side, Colombian forward Guerrero returns after serving a two-match suspension.

Michael Borg is expected to be in the Balzan squad but rumours are rife that the midfielder is attracting strong interest from Lija Athletic.

First round: Hibs vs Balzan 3-0.

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