Valletta will be bidding to exert a modicum of pressure on leaders Hibs when they take on Sliema at the Tedesco Stadium this evening.
The Paolites have held on to top spot since their famous 2-0 win over Valletta in their first-round clash but the Citizens will open a two-point gap if they see off Sliema, in the process raising the heat on Hibs before their tricky match against Ħamrun Spartans on Sunday.
Inevitably, Valletta are seen as having a clear edge over the Blues who are coming from two straight defeats but striker Michael Mifsud is bracing himself for a difficult outing.
“We must win this game but I believe that Sliema will be going all out because they need a win after losing their last two matches,” Mifsud, who started his career with the Wanderers, told The Times. “I’m expecting a tough challenge from Sliema.”
While Sliema will be aiming to get back to winning ways, Valletta will be chasing their fourth consecutive success since their unbeaten run in the league was ended by Hibs last month.
Last weekend, Valletta extended their positive run with a narrow 1-0 victory over derby rivals Floriana.
“We have shown character after our defeat to Hibs,” Mifsud claimed. “Valletta have only lost one game this season but we have picked ourselves up. I don’t know of any club in the world that has never been beaten. The important thing is how you react to setbacks.”
Mifsud has not scored for Valletta since returning from a hamstring injury. “I feel a lot better,” Mifsud replied when asked about his fitness. “But playing and training on different pitches is not helping me, especially as most of the surfaces are synthetic.”
Midfielder Ryan Fenech is back in the frame for Valletta after serving a three-match ban.
While Valletta coach Jesmond Zerafa can virtually bank on a full squad, Sliema’s Danilo Doncic has several selection problems.
Goalkeeper Henry Bonello (calf) and striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (hamstring) are injured while Rumen Galabov, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino and Jerry Ani are doubtful.
Sliema midfielder Roderick Bajada accepts that they face an Olympian task against the Citizens.
“No doubt, Valletta are the clear favourites, they have the strongest squad in the Premier League,” Bajada said. “We are the underdogs and we’re coming from two negative results.
“That said, all the players have looked very motivated in training this week. We want to get back on track but we’re realistic, also because we have many injuries.
“Playing against a top side like Valletta in front of a good crowd gives you extra motivation though.”
Defeats in their last two outings have dragged Sliema into the fight for Championship Pool places as they are sixth, one point behind Qormi and Birkirkara.
Bajada believes that a positive result against Valletta would boost Sliema’s quest for a top-six finish. “There’s still 10 games left before the end of the first phase but a positive result against Valletta would give us a big lift,” Bajada said.
Programme (all Ħamrun)
Today: 7.30 p.m. Valletta vs Sliema Wanderers.
Tomorrow: 2 p.m. Tarxien vs Mqabba; 4.15 p.m. Qormi vs Mosta.
Sunday: 2 p.m. Balzan vs Marsaxlokk; 4.15 p.m. Ħamrun vs Hibs.
Division one
Today: Centenary Stadium – 6 p.m. Żejtun vs Birżebbuġa; 8 p.m. St George’s vs Vittoriosa. Luxol Stadium – 6 p.m. Pietà vs St Patrick; 8 p.m. Naxxar vs Lija.