Hibs’ winger Marcelo Dias surges forward against Balzan. Photo: Mark Zammit CordinaHibs’ winger Marcelo Dias surges forward against Balzan. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

After an enforced mini-break owing to the CHOGM Meeting, the BOV Premier League returns in full swing with a six-match programme between today and tomorrow.

The congestion at the top of the table, with only three points separating the leading six teams, means that the stakes are high in the bulk of this week’s fixtures with the clash between champions Hibernians, who are sharing top spot with rivals Valletta, and the resurgent Floriana topping the bill.

Floriana’s all-pitch pressing style under Belgian coach Luis Oliveira has won them many admirers this season. Hibs coach Branko Nisevic is one of them.

“If you were to evaluate the teams after the first round, Floriana are one of the top five performing sides,” Nisevic told Times of Malta.

“They are a rejuvenated team. Floriana are very motivated and start every game very aggressively.

“They don’t really care who is on the other side, they just want to play their game.

“Floriana have a lot of grit and determination.

“These qualities are also transmitted by their officials who are also pumped up on the bench.

“The strength of the group is Floriana’s forte but they have also signed good foreigners. Their no.80, Nicolas Chiesa, has been a very good addition while the defender (Enrico) Pepe is also strong.”

While Floriana’s revival has breathed life into the Premier League, Hibs appear to be recapturing their sparkle. Their brisk showing in the 3-2 defeat of Balzan has lifted Nisevic’s optimism.

“We played well in the last game,” the Serbian coach said.

“Apart from the result, the performance was very encouraging and it looks like the team is picking up form again.”

Nisevic now wants Hibs to show more consistency in the second round.

“If you look at the table, there is only a three-point gap between the top six teams,” Nisevic observed.

“At this stage of the season, the most important thing is to be consistent and collect as many points as possible.”

Brazilian defender Rodolfo Soares is still sidelined with a hamstring tear.

Hibs expect Luis Edison ‘Tarabai’ to rejoin them in the coming weeks after the striker concluded his loan spell with Seoul E-Land. The Brazilian will have surgery on a broken nose in South Korea this week.

Floriana’s 1-0 win over Mosta came at a cost as goalkeeper Matthew Calleja Cremona suffered a fractured jaw after colliding with an opponent. Young goalkeeper Tyrone Gauci is expected to step in for Calleja Cremona.

Oliveira, the Floriana coach, has been running the rule over an Ukrainian keeper but it remains to be seen whether the trialist will be offered a contract in time to play in tomorrow’s match.

It’s indeed a measure of Floriana’s progress this season that they are being talked of as potential underdogs for the title ahead of their clash with the defending champions.

Oliveira, a powerful striker in his heyday, knows only one way of playing football and that is to attack.

“We always go out to win,” Oliveira said.

“No-one expected Floriana to be in this position but this shows that we are working well and that the players are doing their best. Now we need continuity because the season is very long.

“The first part was very positive but we need to sustain the momentum in the second phase.”

Oliveira is readying his troops for a high-pressure start from Hibs but is optimistic that his team will be up for the challenge.

“I’ve watched Hibs’ game against Balzan,” the former Belgium international said.

“In the first half, they played like a team who wanted to close the game early. We need to be very careful, we certainly can’t afford to mistakes, but I’m confident that we will do well.

“In games like these, it’s important not to lose but we always try to win, that’s my philosophy.”

First round: Hibs vs Floriana 2-1.

Premier League
Today (Hibs Stadium): 6pm Qormi vs Mosta; 8pm Sliema vs Valletta.
Today (Tedesco Stadium): 6pm Balzan vs Naxxar; 8.15pm St Andrew’s vs Pembroke.
Tomorrow (National Stadium): 6pm Birkirkara vs Tarxien; 8pm Floriana vs Hibernians.

FA Trophy– Third round
Today (Centenary Stadium): 7.30pm St George’s vs Mqabba.
Tomorrow (Centenary Stadium): 6pm Sta Venera vs Għargħur; 8.15pm Rabat vs Melita.
Tomorrow (Tedesco Stadium): 6pm Żabbar SP vs Gżira Utd; 8.15pm Pietà Hotspurs vs Żejtun.

Current standings

  P W D L F A Pts
Valletta 12 8 1 3 23 11 25
Hibernians 12 7 4 1 22 14 25
Birkirkara 12 6 5 1 28 12 23
Balzan 12 7 2 3 19 12 23
Floriana 12 7 2 3 19 11 23
Tarxien 12 6 4 2 21 11 22
Mosta 12 5 3 4 17 13 18
Pembroke 12 4 2 6 18 22 14
Sliema 12 4 2 6 11 17 14
Naxxar Lions 12 2 2 8 11 30 8
Qormi 12 1 3 8 9 18 6
St Andrew’s 12 0 0 12 6 33 0

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