Valletta’s quest to set a new mark for the longest unbeaten sequence in Malta’s top league has enhanced the allure of their match against Mosta at the National Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 7 p.m.).
Having gone 36 matches without defeat, a run stretching back to the final months of season 2009/10, Valletta are widely expected to equal Hibs’ 37-match unbeaten record in their clash with the Premier League newcomers who have only gained one point from their opening three matches.
The champions’ flawless start to their title defence, with three wins from their first three games, has only served to increase their fans’ optimism that their team can retain their invincible tag this season but for coach Jesmond Zerafa, the top priority is to win the next game.
“To achieve something special in football, you have to take it game by game,” Zerafa told The Times. “We are two games away from setting a new record for the longest unbeaten run in the league.
“It would be excellent for this club to make it 38 league matches without conceding a defeat. It’s thanks to the determination of our players that we have come so close to this milestone but we have an important game on Sunday and we must remain fully focused.
“People will say that we have more potential than Mosta but I still expect a difficult match. Mqabba defeated Marsaxlokk this week and this result shows that the league can produce surprises.
“As far as we’re concerned, we’re doing our utmost to ensure that Valletta are not on the receiving end of a shock result.”
Given that Hibs are up next for Valletta after Sunday’s match, Zerafa could be tempted to rest some regular players on Sunday. Brazilian defender Ramon is still recovering from a long-term groin injury and midfielder Ryan Fenech is out with a dislocated shoulder.
Left-back Ian Azzopardi is doubtful after picking up a knock in the first half of last weekend’s game against Qormi, won 3-1 by the Whites.
Zerafa paid tribute to his players for the team’s excellent start to the season. “I can’t but be satisfied with our performances so far,” the City coach said. “We’ve achieved a good rhythm and made a better start compared to last season.
“We’ve won the Euro Challenge Cup and the Super Cup, had good showings in the Champions League and won the first three league games but it’s imperative that we keep our feet on the ground.
“I can only commend the players for their commitment and professional attitude. They are honouring the reputation of the club by staying at the summit of the league.
“The president (Victor Sciriha) has invested a lot in this club and is being rewarded. He deserves huge credit for putting together a fantastic squad and I’m lucky to be the coach of these players.”
Valletta are daunting opponents for any team in the Premier League, moreso for a newly-promoted side like Mosta.
Oliver Spiteri, the Mosta coach, concedes that the odds are heavily stacked against his team but he’s backing his players to give a good account of themselves.
“Our objective is to give a good performance,” Spiteri said. “We are aware of Valletta’s strength. They are unbeaten in their last 36 league matches and that says everything about Valletta’s qualities.
“It’s going to be a very difficult match for us but we will try to play our game and build on the performance we had against Balzan Youths.”
Mosta, who have found the net in every match they’ve played so far, were on the brink of recording their first win of the season on Monday as, with only two minutes plus stoppage time left, they led Balzan Youths 1-0 but the latter rescued a point with a last-gasp equaliser.
The drawn outcome left Mosta deflated as they had squandered a string of chances to kill the game but Spiteri preferred to look at the positives.
“It was a disappointing result for us but I prefer to look at the glass as being half-full rather than half-empty,” Spiteri said.
“We created seven scoring chances and played some good football but we must improve our finishing.
“People have to keep in mind that we’ve changed a lot of players. In the last few weeks, we’ve also brought in new foreigners and the team is still adjusting to the changes as well as the level of the Premier League.
“Our performance in the last game was encouraging as we managed to replicate a lot of things that we practise in training. Now it’s important that we step up our game.
“All games are important but our priority is not to win against Valletta, we want to take points off the lesser teams.”
Spiteri is expected to give a debut to newly-signed Brazilian midfielder Arilson on Sunday. Striker Gilbert Martin and midfielder Sheldon Grech are on the casualty list.
Hibs sweat on Brazilian trio, Vandelannoite to rejoin Qormi
Mqabba vs Birkirkara (today at 6 p.m., National Stadium).
Birkirkara will again be without midfielder Rowen Muscat as they look to bounce back from the defeat to Hibernians with victory over Mqabba.
Muscat is still nursing an ankle injury suffered while playing for the Malta U-21 team against Finland while Shaun Bajada is recovering from ankle surgery.
Birkirkara coach Patrick Curmi is boosted by the return of Andrew Decesare who missed the 3-0 defeat to Hibs through suspension. Nigerian striker Shola Haruna is still unavailable as the Stripes have yet to complete his registration.
Mqabba coach Clive Mizzi must make do without Brazilian striker Thiago Mazzitelli who received a one-match ban after seeing red in his team’s 2-0 win over Marsaxlokk on Monday.
Ħamrun Spartans vs Floriana (today at 8 p.m., National Stadium).
Floriana are set to be without influential midfielder Christian Caruana for today’s delicate clash against Ħamrun Spartans.
Caruana is still recovering from the shoulder injury which kept him out of the team’s 1-0 defeat to Sliema Wanderers. Ghana goalkeeper William Amamoo is suspended after marring his debut with a red card in last weekend’s Old Firm duel. Manuel Bartolo will replace Amamoo in Floriana’s goal.
Ħamrun, for their part, are expected to be without defender Roderick Fenech who suffered a shoulder injury in his team’s 1-1 draw with Tarxien on Sunday.
Hibernians vs Balzan Youths (tomorrow at 5 p.m., Hibs Stadium).
Hibernians are worried about the fitness of three of their four Brazilian players as they look to maintain their positive start with victory over newcomers Balzan Youths.
Mark Miller, the Hibs coach, will check on the fitness of striker Marcelo Dias who suffered a recurrence of his ankle injury during the win over Birkirkara while defensive midfielder Rodolfo Soares and defender Diego Balbinot face late fitness tests.
Balzan are boosted by the return of Brazilian forward Pedrinho who missed the 1-1 draw against Mosta through suspension. Albanian defender Bledjon Guga is also expected to return for Balzan after recovering from injury.
Sliema Wanderers vs Marsaxlokk (tomorrow at 7 p.m., Hibs Stadium).
Marsaxlokk have lost Jean Paul Farrugia for tomorrow’s match against Sliema Wanderers after the Malta U-21 striker picked up a hamstring injury in the 2-0 defeat to Mqabba on Monday.
Winston Muscat, the Marsaxlokk coach, is still without suspended duo Trevor Templeman and Clive Brincat.
Sliema coach Danilo Doncic has his fair share of problems as Ryan Grech must serve a one-match ban while Cleaven Frendo, Julian Briffa and Timmy Thomas are still recuperating from injury.
Qormi vs Tarxien Rainbows (Sunday at 5 p.m., National Stadium).
Giuseppe Vela has been ruled out of Qormi’s match against Tarxien Rainbows after the Brazilian suffered a knee injury against Valletta last weekend.
Coach Stephen Azzopardi is still without Greek defender Christos Karamanolis who is set to undergo knee surgery but defender Kenneth Scicluna should return after recovering from his knee problem.
Belgian defender Jason Lee Vandelannoite was due to rejoin the Qormi squad yesterday but Azzopardi wants to assess his fitness before deciding whether to consider him for selection for Sunday’s game.
Noel Coleiro, the Tarxien coach, can bank on a full complement as he bids to lead his team to their first win this season.
Div. One Fixtures
Today (Centenary Stadium 6 p.m. Melita vs St George’s; 8 p.m. St Andrew’s vs Birżebbuġa.