Frank Temile leading Birkirkara’s charge against Sliema Wanderers in a league match on Saturday. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

Birkirkara will fancy their chances of closing the gap on leaders Valletta and second-placed Hibernians when they face bottom-placed St Andrew’s at the National Stadium this evening in one of two rescheduled matches from the BOV Premier League.

The Stripes look a rejuvenated side since Drazen Besek took charge of the team late last month as they won their league matches against Qormi (1-0) and Sliema Wanderers (2-0) and also booked their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy following a 1-0 win over Valletta.

This evening, Birkirkara will be gunning for a fifth successive league victory that would push them back in contention in the title race.

In the corresponding first-round fixture, Birkirkara found little difficult in overcoming St Andrew’s 4-0 and they start favourites to make it a double this evening and move to within three points of Valletta and two behind Hibernians.

Besek has no selection problems and could give a debut to latest signing, Ryan Darmanin who joined the Stripes in a transfer move from Balzan yesterday.

Darmanin, a striker, struggled to gain some playing time at his former club this season and the arrival of Brazilian duo Pedrinho and Alan Da Silva Souza at Balzan pushed him further down in the pecking order.

Birkirkara were keen to bring in a forward in this transfer window and an agreement was reached with Balzan to sign the 30-year-old on permanent basis.

St Andrew’s went through several changes in the last few weeks but so far the newcomers did not help to stem the tide as the Saints are still without points after 18 matches.

Last weekend, St Andrew’s were at the wrong end of a 5-1 defeat to Balzan and coach Jose Borg hopes his team will shore up their defensive line to limit the damage against the Stripes.

Today’s second match pits together ambitious Balzan and relegation-troubled Qormi.

Balzan, who beat Qormi 1-0 in the first round, have been firing on all cylinders lately following sound wins over Mosta (4-1) and St Andrew’s (5-1) to boost their push for a top-four finish.

Another three points today means Balzan will leapfrog Floriana into fourth place.

Balzan could have defender Justin Grioli unavailable for this match but midfield dynamo Paul Fenech is back after serving a one-match ban.

Qormi will be looking to repeat their spirited display in a 4-2 defeat to champions Hibernians last weekend.

This will be Qormi’s third match in the space of a week and coach Johann Scicluna could be tempted not to risk a couple of key players ahead of a relegation clash against Naxxar Lions on Saturday.

Ryan Micallef and Noah Ojuola are certain to be among those missing the match for Qormi tonight.

Playing today

National Stadium
Birkirkara vs St Andrew’s - 18.00
Balzan vs Qormi - 20.00