Naxxar Lions midfielder David Fenech, Omar Borg, the Mosta goalkeeper, Qormi striker Alfred Effiong and Firas Aboulezz, Tarxien’s in-form midfielder, are all optimistic that their teams will rise to the challenge in Friday’s crucial clashes as they seek to avoid a relegation-promotion play-off against Gżira United.

The 2014/15 BOV Premier League has served up little excitement in so far as the title issue is concerned as Hibernians, the newly-crowned champions, never looked in danger of relinquishing top spot.

The race to claim the three Europa League berths has also been a foregone conclusion for some time while, last weekend, Żebbuġ Rangers and Pietà Hotspurs become the first two teams to surrender their top-flight status.

It is only the introduction of a relegation-promotion play-off between the third-from-bottom team in the Premier League and the third-placed side in Division One – Gżira United – that helped to keep the interest alive until the final day of the season.

Indeed, the fight to avoid the May 15 play-off has created an intriguing scenario as four clubs, Naxxar Lions, Qormi, Mosta and Tarxien Rainbows, head into their last match with their elite-division status still in the balance.

This has prompted the Malta FA to tweak the final programme of the season so that the three games involving the four relegation play-off candidates on Friday kick off simultaneously at 7.30pm.

Naxxar Lions are in the driving seat as they only need a point from their derby against Mosta to secure survival but midfielder David Fenech insisted that they are firmly intent on winning the game.

“We are going into the derby with the intention of winning,” Fenech told Times of Malta.

“Derby games are always difficult but this one has become crucial, it’s like a final.”

Until a few weeks ago, Naxxar looked to have steered clear of trouble but three defeats in four matches jeopardised their survival bid. Fenech blamed misfortune for his team’s slump in recent weeks.

“We played a very good game against Valletta only to concede a goal in the last 20 seconds,” the former Tarxien midfielder said.

“Then we played against Tarxien. We should have won that game hands down but ended up on the losing side after suffering a goal in the closing minutes.

“That upset dealt another blow to our confidence. We had a disastrous game against Floriana (Naxxar lost 4-1) but the atmosphere is a lot better now after coming from 3-1 down to beat Sliema Wanderers 4-3 in our last game.

“I’m optimistic that we will finish the job on Friday.”

Mosta, one point behind Naxxar, will stay up if they see off their rivals, regardless of the outcome of the two other relegation encounters.

Goalkeeper Omar Borg is upbeat.

“From our side, we know that we have to win to avoid the relegation play-off,” Borg said.

“Our fate is in our own hands and that’s a very positive thing.

“I believe we can do it.”

Four wins from their opening five games had prompted suggestions that Mosta may challenge for a top-three position this term after finishing fourth last season but they have been in freefall since.

“Our performances in the second and third round have not been very positive,” Borg said.

“It’s a known fact that our squad has been weakened during the season. The club decided to go down that route because the financial situation didn’t allow them to retain the squad we had.

“Nevertheless, we are still fighting to stay in the Premier League. Our reaction in Sunday’s draw against Floriana showed that this team has got character.

“Everybody should be available for Friday as the foreigners have recovered, Tyrone Farrugia returns from suspension and Ian Zammit has a very good chance of making it.”

Qormi, who beat Pietà Hotspurs 2-1 on Saturday, are level with Mosta on 21 points, one point ahead of Tarxien Rainbows.

A win against neighbouring rivals Żebbuġ would ensure that Qormi finish above either Mosta or Naxxar, given that these will be involved in a direct clash.

Striker Alfred Effiong believes that Qormi are approaching their do-or-die encounter with the Rangers in good form and good heart.

“I think we are on the right track because of the way the team is playing,” the Malta forward said.

“We are coming from two good results and I believe we have a good chance of avoiding the play-off.”

Żebbuġ have nothing left to play for bar pride after their defeat to Tarxien last weekend condemned them to Division One football next season but Effiong expects no favours from his team’s rivals.

“I have no doubt that this is going to be a very difficult game for us, possibly the most difficult,” Effiong remarked.

“It’s a derby and there’s rivalry between the two teams. Żebbuġ will be doing everything in their power to drag us down with them.

“We’re going to approach the game like a cup final.”

Tarxien currently occupy the third-from-bottom spot but they are in control of their destiny as a win over Pietà would see them through.

Firas Aboulezz, one of Tarxien’s most influential players in their late-season revival, has gleaned a lot of encouragement from his team’s performances in recent weeks.

Tarxien revival

“Our situation is definitely more positive now than it looked just a few weeks ago,” Aboulezz said.

“The last games have really filled us with courage for the simple reason that, before the last five matches, which were super finals for us, everyone was saying that Tarxien were going down but we are now in control of our destiny.”

Although Pietà are down and out, Aboulezz is bracing himself for a tough encounter.

“Pietà Hotspurs have shown this season that they can be awkward opponents,” the 29-year-old former Mosta midfielder observed.

“Make no mistake, we’re not going to have an easy time against them.

“I’ve been in situations like this.

“Pietà have a lot of young players who will be eager to show their worth in their last appearance in the top division.

“In a way, Friday’s game is an opportunity for the Pietà players to get noticed by Premier League sides, especially the foreigners.

“We need to control our emotions but I’m convinced that we will get the three points.”

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