The BOV Premier League enters into its final stretch when the third round gets under way with the first matches between today and tomorrow.

Leaders Hibernians start the final round of matches when they face Ħamrun Spartans tomorrow.

But this evening second-placed Balzan will have the chance to regain top spot with victory over bottom-placed Mosta while Valletta will look to keep up the pressure on the Premier League pacesetters when they face Sliema Wanderers in what promises to be a tricky fixture for the defending champions (kick-off: 20.00).

Valletta will hope to repeat the vibrant second-half performance which saw them overcome Ħamrun Spartans 2-0 in their last league outing a fortnight ago as they look to step up their quest of successfully retaining the league crown come next May.

Paul Zammit, the Valletta coach, said given the nature of this year’s championship, where every team is capable of upsetting any other side, his players had little margin for error if they are to remain in the title race.

“Every match from now till the end of the season will be decisive on who will win this year’s championship,” Zammit told Times of Malta yesterday.

“Our approach is quite simple…  we have 11 finals ahead of us and we have to give equal importance to all our rivals.

“Sliema have shown this season that they are a very dangerous team, particularly against the top teams, and they will surely be relishing the chance of getting a positive result against us.

“It’s important that the players give their 100 per cent as a slip in form in this decisive stage of the season will surely see us bow out of the title race.”

Valletta come into the match the fresher side as their early elimination from the FA Trophy provided them with a week break to recharge all their energies.

Zammit has almost the same squad that featured against Ħamrun Spartans earlier this month with Brazilian defender Juan Cruz Gill ruled out with a muscle injury.

The Valletta coach said that he was heartened by his team’s more direct approach in attack against Ħamrun and hopes to see more of the same against the Wanderers.

“The departures of Federico Falcone and Jhonnattann and the injury to Michael Mifsud left us with a huge void in attack,” the City mentor conceded.

“We did bring in two new strikers but they needed a lot of time to adapt to the new environs. In the last few weeks we worked hard on the training pitch to try and introduce new systems to ensure we bring the best out of our players and we saw some encouraging signs against Ħamrun.

“Hopefully, the team can kick on from that match and our performances will grow stronger and stronger every week.”

Sliema go into this evening’s match in high spirits as they followed their impressive win over previous league leaders Balzan by booking their place in the FA Trophy semi-finals after a penalty shoot-out victory over Senglea Athletic and stay in the hunt for a place in European football via the cup competition.

Brian Said, Sliema’s team manager, said that the Wanderers were looking forward to keep up the momentum generated by their recent victories with a good showing against the Malta champions.

“We may have fallen behind in the race for a European berth via the league championship but we still want to end our campaign with a strong run,” the former Sliema defender said.

“The fact that our team always tends to produce its best football against the so-called the big guns is an encouraging sign when heading to a match against the defending champions.

“Valletta will surely be very tough clients for us as they cannot afford to drop any points but we are very confident in our ability.

“The last two matches have been very positive for us and I hope the players rise to the occasion and try and get another positive result that can kickstart a consistent run of results.”

The other matches this weekend....

Today (National Stadium)

Balzan vs Mosta 18.00

■ Balzan have only one win to show from their last three matches.

Mosta have conceded nine goals and failed to score in their last two league matches.

Balzan have netted in each of the last 14 league matches this season.

Mosta have the worst scoring record in the Premier League this season, scoring just 13 goals.

Previous results: Mosta vs Balzan 2-3, 0-1.

Suspended players: P. Fenech (Balzan), N. Priso (Mosta), Pedrinho (Mosta).

Tomorrow (Hibs Stadium)

Gzira vs Tarxien  14.00

■ Tarxien Rainbows are looking for their first league win after two draws and a defeat.

Andrew Cohen has scored in back-to-back matches since joining Gżira United during the January transfer window.

Gżira United have not managed a clean sheet since a goalless draw against Pembroke Athleta on December 18, 2016.

Tarxien have failed to score in only four league matches this season.

Previous results: Tarxien Rainbows vs Gzira United 1-1, 1-0.

Suspended players: Tony (Gżira United), Matthew Tabone (Tarxien Rainbows).

Tomorrow (National Stadium)

Birkirkara vs St Andrews  14.00

■ Birkirkara are the most prolific side in the Premier League with 41 goals.

St Andrews will be in search of their first win after seven league matches.

The last three league matches featuring Birkirkara have all finished with a 2-1 scoreline.

Aidan Friggieri netted his first goal for St Andrews since his January move from Sliema during his team’s 3-2 defeat to Gżira United.

Previous results: St Andrews vs Birkirkara 4-0, 1-1.

Suspended players: Christian Bubalovic (Birkirkara), Joseph Zerafa (Birkirkara), Felix Udoh (St Andrews).

Tomorrow (Hibs Stadium)

Floriana vs Pembroke      16.00

■ Floriana have scored 17 goals in their last six matches, an average of almost three goals per game.

Pembroke will be looking to extend a three-match unbeaten streak in the top-flight.

Mario Fontanella has scored in three of the last four matches for Floriana.

Pembroke have the worst defensive record in the top flight with 46 goals conceded.

Previous results: Floriana vs Pembroke 2-1, 2-1.

Suspended players: Alex Cini (Floriana), Andrea Scozzese (Pembroke Athleta).

Tomorrow (National Stadium)

Hibs vs Ħamrun 16.00

■ Hibernians have conceded just one defeat in their last six matches.

Ħamrun Spartans are looking to end a poor run of three successive defeats.

Hibernians boast the second meanest defence in the top flight with only 19 goals conceded in 22 matches.

Ħamrun have failed to score in each of the last four matches in all competitions.

Suspended players: Andrei Agius (Hibernians).

Previous results: Ħamrun Spartans vs Hibernians 3-1, 1-4.

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