Hibernians are in buoyant mood.
A run of seven games without defeat has not only propelled Hibs back into the upper tiers of the table, it has restored their players’ belief that they can challenge for the championship as they are only one point adrift of leaders Balzan.
This afternoon at the National Stadium (16.00), Hibs will be going all out to extend their unbeaten sequence but face a tricky test against a Sliema Wanderers side who will be determined to take something from the match after their own positive streak came to a halt last weekend with a 2-1 defeat to Valletta.
Bjorn Kristensen, the Hibs midfielder, is wary of Sliema’s collective threat. “It’s going to be another difficult match for us,” Kristensen told Times of Malta.
“Sliema have improved as a team since the appointment of John Buttigieg as their new coach.
“I’ve watched some Sliema games lately and they are very organised tactically.”
Hibs also went through a coaching change last summer as Mark Miller returned to the helm of the team following Branko Nisevic’s exit.
It has taken Miller a while to stamp his mark on the squad as Hibs began the season with a 3-1 defeat to Ħamrun Spartans but their 4-1 victory in the corresponding second-round fixture last weekend highlighted the Paolites’ improvement.
“After the change of coach last summer, it took us a while to settle and get used to his philosophy,” Kristensen said.
“But we always stayed positive. Step by step, we have raised our level of performance.”
Miller has no particular selection issues for today’s game with long-term injury absentee Rui Da Gracia Gomes still sidelined.
Brazilian striker Tarabai is widely expected to rejoin Hibs in the coming days following the end of his loan stint with South Korean club Seoul E-Land.
The return of Tarabai should boost Hibs’ firepower but Miller is still expected to make some minor adjustments to his squad in the January transfer window.
Asked if he felt the current Hibs squad is strong enough to sustain its challenge for the title, Kristensen replied: “I personally believe that we already have a very competitive team. If the coach decides that he needs to make some additions to strengthen the squad, that can only help us.”
At 23, Kristensen has yet to reach the peak of his career but has long established himself as one of the most influential players at Hibs after making his senior debut for the club at the age of 16.
The towering Malta midfielder struggled to show his best in the early weeks of the season but has looked more like his usual self in recent games, turning in a man-of-the-match display in the 4-1 defeat of Ħamrun Spartans last Sunday.
“I began the season on a somewhat low-key note but it didn’t take me long to find my form,” Kristensen said.
“I felt I played well against Ħamrun Spartans and I hope to build on that performance. I’m still 23 but I’ve been in the first team for seven years.
“Our senior players are not getting any younger, so the other team members, myself included, need to take more responsibility.”
While Hibs will be going all out to turn up the heat on Balzan, knowing that a win today would lift them above the erstwhile leaders before their clash with Pembroke Athleta tomorrow, Sliema need the three points to keep the front-runners in sight.
Striker Jean Paul Farrugia, who will be facing his former club this afternoon, said victory is a must for Sliema if they want to stay close to the top-four zone.
“We were coming from a series of positive results before our defeat to Valletta,” the Malta forward said.
“We need to win the game against Hibs if we want to keep fighting with the teams above us for a place in Europe. Not even a draw would suffice.”
If Buttigieg, the Sliema coach, requires inside knowledge of Hibs’ qualities he needs to look no further than Farrugia as the young striker has spent most of his career with the Paola club.
“Hibs are a mature team,” Farrugia said.“They have a group of players who have been together for a long time.
“But, they are certainly not infallible. I mean we’ve seen that, every weekend, it’s a fight because the teams are balanced.
“I always go out to win, regardless of the opposition.”
After winning the FA Trophy during his short loan spell with Sliema in the second half of last season, Farrugia sealed a permanent move to the Blues in the final days of the summer transfer window.
The unassuming striker insisted that he’s not getting over-excited by the prospect of playing against his former team.
“The way I look at football, I’m not going to get ultra-excited because I’m playing against teams like Hibs or Valletta,” Farrugia said. “It’s business as usual.
“My aim is to win. I believe that we are capable of taking the three points in every game.”
Sliema captain Alex Muscat has resumed training and could be in contention for a first-team place after recovering from injury. Serbian player Marko Potezica is doubtful.
First round: Hibernians vs Sliema Wanderers 1-0.
Maroons sign Correa
■ Gżira United are set to hand a debut to new signing Ricardo Correa when they face Ħamrun Spartans at the National Stadium today (kick-off: 14.00).
Midfielder Correa, of Uruguay, joined the Maroons’ squad for training earlier this month.
His transfer was completed in midweek and Correa is now expected to be included in the 18-man squad as Gżira look to end a depressing run of seven matches without a win.
Striker John Nwoba (hamstring), Dyson Falzon (knee) and goalkeeper Jurgen Borg are all unavailable for the Maroons today.
Ħamrun are boosted by the return of midfielder Jorginho but will have to make do without goalkeeper Frederick Tabone. The latter was handed a one-match ban after failing to file a medical clearance certificate with the Malta FA as obliged by the association’s regulations.
Striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza faces a late fitness test.
First round: Ħamrun Spartans vs Gżira United 1-1.
Tricky test for Greens
■ Amadou Samb is pushing for a place in Floriana’s starting formation as they face a tricky test in the shape of St Andrews at the Tedesco Stadium, today (14.00).
Samb, who inspired 10-man Floriana to victory over Pembroke last week, is likely to fill in for the suspended Mario Fontanella.
The Greens will again be without midfield duo Conor Borg and Antonio Monticelli.
St Andrews, buoyed by their fine showing in the 1-1 draw against Birkirkara, will look to stretch their positive run to four matches but will be without coach Danilo Doncic as the Serbian starts a two-match touchline ban.
Midfielder Dale Camilleri must serve a one-match ban. Winger Daniel Brandle is back in training after ankle trouble but will not be considered for this match.
First round: St Andrews vs Floriana 1-3.
Stripes hunt crucial win
■ Birkirkara are desperate for victory this afternoon when they face Tarxien Rainbows at the Tedesco Stadium (16.15) as they cannot afford to lose further ground to their title rivals.
Successive draws against Floriana and St Andrews have seen the Stripes slip six points behind Balzan, leaving them with no option but to beat the Rainbows.
Tarxien will be led by Brian Testaferrata, the coach of their minors’ side, for this game as club officials are still in talks with Jesmond Zerafa about replacing Jacques Scerri as first-team coach.
The Rainbows have striker Alex Nilsson back from suspension but defensive duo Ebiabowei Baker and Emerson Marcelina are out as they complete a three-match ban.
First round: Birkirkara vs Tarxien 4-0.
Micallef, Effiong return
■ Leaders Balzan welcome Lydon Micallef and Alfred Effiong back in the fray for their match against lowly Pembroke Athleta, at Ħamrun, tomorrow (14.00).
Both strikers missed the last two matches through suspension but are now vying for a first-team recall as the Reds look to maintain their grip on top spot.
Goalkeeper Christian Cassar is still out as he completes a three-match ban. Defender Justin Grioli (knee) and Paul Fenech (hernia) are also out of the reckoning.
Pembroke will be without two key players as defender Zoran Levnaic and midfielder Paltemio Barbetti were handed one-match bans in midweek.
First round: Balzan vs Pembroke 2-1.
City without Falcone, Pani
■ Valletta will fancy their chances of making it three wins in a row when they meet Mosta at the Tedesco Stadium, tomorrow (16.15).
The Citizens, three points behind Balzan, start as favourites to stretch their winning run against a Mosta team who managed just two points from their last six matches.
Valletta coach Paul Zammit will be without Federico Falcone in attack and midfielder Claudio Pani (both suspended).
Mosta, too, will be unable to field their strongest XI as wing-back Francis Onwudinjo is suspended after earning his fourth booking in the 1-0 loss to Balzan last week.
First round: Mosta vs Valletta 0-1.