Valletta’s Llywelyn Cremona (left) finds his way closed by Paltemio Barbetti, of Żebbuġ Rangers.

Sitting on top of the Premier League standings with a comfortable eight-point lead and with a match against modest Żebbuġ Rangers coming up, few would bet against Hibernians maintaining their dominance in this season’s title race this afternoon (kick-off 4pm).

However, coach Branko Nisevic is refusing to take Rangers lightly, especially after they created one of the biggest shocks of the season when they beat champions Valletta 3-2 last week.

“True, on paper this is a golden opportunity for us to take another step towards winning the league title, but Żebbuġ Rangers will be tough opponents,” Nisevic told Times of Malta yesterday.

“They are in high spirits after an incredible victory over Valletta. So, they will surely try and make life difficult for us as they look to gain more points in their fight against relegation.

“Last month, Rangers strengthened their squad with some quality additions and they are a much stronger team than the one that featured in the first two rounds of the championship.

“So, no doubt we must play at the top of our game if we are to win this match.”

Hibs will have to do without their leading goal-getter Luis Edison who is serving a one-match.

His absence is a huge blow for Nisevic, having played a key role all season, in particular Hibs’ last few matches where he scored a couple of decisive goals.

But the Hibs coach is confident they have enough strength in depth to make up for the absence of their chief striker.

“Luis is a regular for us but we have five other forwards in our squad and they can fill his void and deliver the goods for us,” he said.

Today, Nisevic must also check on the fitness of Andre Luis, who is hampered by a shoulder injury, and Marcelo Dias. He is struggling with an ankle knock.

This month, Hibernians failed to show their best form but Nisevic said it was all down to the tension that had gripped his players with the championship now in the straight for home.

“These last few weeks, my task was to transmit tranquility into my players,” Nisevic said.

“We have now entered the final stretch of the season and the players know they are close to reaching their goal. Inevitably, fear of failure has gripped the players.

“Sometimes they seem to exert extra efforts to win matches and that has affected our performances rather badly.

“At the moment we are urging them to keep calm. Most of our players have been through all this before so they are keen to make sure with a few weeks to spare.

“A win against Żebbuġ Rangers will put us one step closer to the championship.”

After their astonishing victory over Valletta, Żebbuġ can play more freely now that they have moved off the bottom two places of the standings for the first time this season.

However, coach Alfonso Greco is not letting his players getting carried away and reckons his team still have a lot of work to do before they can think they’re safe.

“The 3-2 win over Valletta was important but it hasn’t changed our perspective for our next match,” Greco said.

“We have the same objective as before so we must try to win points and keep moving away from the relegation positions. Hibernians are the strongest team in the championship and my players have a massive task on their hands.

“Our previous performance and result were a timely shot in the arm but the team will have to repeat that feat as the relegation battle is getting tougher with every match that is played.”

At present, Rangers are eighth in the standings on 12 points, just three ahead of bottom-placed Qormi.

Greco reckons a high-tempo match will be key to try and stop Hibs’ march.

“Our game plan is quite simple,” he said.

“We need to play at a very high tempo and keep Hibs under pressure in all areas of the pitch. They have fine all-round players who can make a difference at any time.

“So, it will be very important for us to defend solidly and allow them few space to manoeuvre.

“It’s a tough challenge but we are ready to give it our best try.”

Previous results: Hibernians vs Żebbuġ Rangers 4-0, 5-2.