Three points clear at the top, Valletta are poised to consolidate their lofty position tomorrow at the National Stadium (kick-off 4 p.m.) when they take on a Ħamrun Spartans side ravaged by suspensions and injuries.
Valletta vs Ħamrun is still regarded as one of the most attractive fixtures in the Premier League due to the rivalry between the fans but the two clubs have experienced contrasting fortunes so far.
With 31 points from 12 games, Valletta are top of the league and on course to defend their league title but the Spartans are languishing near the foot of the table, a full 20 points behind their impending opponents.
Jesmond Zerafa, the Valletta coach, repeated his mantra that consistency is key to winning titles as he prepared for the duel with the Spartans.
“We want to maintain our consistency,” Zerafa told The Times. “It’s important that we go into every game with a positive and winning mentality. I always say that, if we are going to win the championship, we have to be very consistent.
“Although we’ve been criticised for not producing our best football so far, we’ve still managed to collect the points and return to the top.”
Left-back Ian Azzopardi is out for Valletta after receiving a one-match ban while Ousseni Zongo and Michael Mifsud are injury doubts.
Valletta may have the most talented squad in the Premier League but Zerafa warned his players that the second round will be tougher than the first.
“The matches in the second round will be more difficult than the first because most of the teams are fighting to avoid the Relegation Pool,” Zerafa said. “They want to go into the Championship Pool but only six out of 12 can do that.”
News that four Ħamrun players will miss tomorrow’s match through suspension immediately led to suggestions that Valletta’s task will be easier but Zerafa would have none of that.
“The bottom line is that you always play against 11 men in a football match,” Zerafa said. “Also, the reserve players will be more determined to show their worth. But, we prefer to concentrate on our strengths. That’s our philosophy.”
Zerafa also admitted that his players are happy about returning to the National Stadium. “The venue change should help us because our players prefer to play on natural turf,” Zerafa said. “There’s no guarantee that our performances will be better at the National Stadium but the pitch definitely suits our game better.”
Ħamrun Spartans coach Jesmond Zammit will have devoted most of his energies towards lifting his team’s battered morale after their last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Balzan last weekend.
The Spartans are still counting the cost of that upset as Gaetan Spiteri and Lee James Agius have been suspended for four and three matches respectively for their furious reaction at the end of the Balzan game while Kevin Sammut and Rupert Mangion received a one-match ban.
Goalkeeper Omar Borg is still sidelined with a thigh injury, Roderick Fenech is recovering from a cruciate operation and Steve Bonnici is highly doubtful.
The absence of so many important players has complicated an already difficult mission for the Spartans but Zammit is hoping for a strong response from his troops.
“We had seven players missing for the game against Hibs but we produced a bold performance and gained a point,” Zammit said.
“You should always try to do your best, regardless of the circum-stances. I’m sure that those players who will replace the absent ones will be determined to do well, not only to help the team but also to keep their place in the side.”
Zammit admitted that the defeat to Balzan was a setback for his team, coming as it did after what seemed like a morale-boosting win over Mqabba. However, the Spartans coach is not ready to throw in the towel.
“There’s no denying that the loss to Balzan was hard to take,” Zammit said.
“After our victory over Mqabba, we were aiming to get another three points and bolster our top-six challenge but it was not to be.
“We must try to make up for that upset. As far as I’m concerned, I’m determined to turn the team’s fortunes around.
“When I accepted this job, I knew I was taking on a massive challenge but I was prepared to do my best to take this great club forward. After a bad result like that against Balzan, you do ask yourself some hard questions, especially when considering the manner of our defeat.
“But, you have to show character in difficult times. I hope that my players rise to the challenge against Valletta because a good performance against them can give us a huge lift.”
Meanwhile, Valletta and Ħamrun players will take to the field wearing white ribbons to show their support for the campaign against domestic violence.
First round – Valletta vs Ħamrun 2-0.
Mifsud Triganza undergoes surgery in Munich, Hibs lose Balbinot
Sliema Wanderers vs Mqabba (today at 6 p.m., Tedesco Stadium).
Danilo Doncic has a tough task naming his starting formation today as his resources are severely restricted by injuries and suspensions.
Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza yesterday underwent surgery at a Munich clinic to cure an abdominal tear. The prolific striker is expected to be sidelined for two weeks.
Bulgarian defender Rumen Galabov is out as he is still recovering from a concussion suffered during the 1-1 draw with Hibs last weekend while Alex Muscat is doubtful.
Suspension has also deprived Doncic of four players, namely Danail Mitev, Josef Mifsud, Steve Bezzina and Cleaven Frendo.
Mqabba almost have a full complement as defender Pierre Grima is the only absentee as he recovers from a broken finger.
First round: Mqabba vs Sliema Wanderers 0-2.
Balzan Youths vs Qormi (today at 8.15 p.m., Tedesco Stadium).
Daniel Nwoke is a major doubt for fourth-placed Qormi as the Nigerian striker is still struggling with a hamstring injury.
Qormi are sure to be without defender Federico Mirarchi and Joseph Farrugia, both sidelined with injuries, while Luke Sciberras and Scottish midfielder Stuart Duff must serve a one-match suspension.
Balzan, for their part, welcome back Clifton Ciantar and Jonathan Francica who missed the last-gasp win over Ħamrun through suspension.
New Zealand striker Kris Bright is rated as doubtful due to a foot problem.
First round: Qormi vs Balzan 3-0.
Marsaxlokk vs Hibernians (tomorrow at 2 p.m., National Stadium).
Hibernians coach Mark Miller is facing a selection crisis as seven regular players are out of the equation through injury and suspension.
Brazilian defender Diego Balbinot has been ruled out for eight weeks with a tear in his quad while Ryan Camilleri, Jonathan Pearson and Matthew Tabone are struck down by knee injuries.
Left-back Adrian Pulis is still out with a hamstring problem while Brazilian forwards Marcelo Dias and Luis Edison, the Premier League’s leading scorer with 15 goals, are suspended.
Marsaxlokk coach Anton Cremona is sweating on the fitness of Argentine winger Emiliano Lattes who has a knee injury while Patrick Borg (flu) and Jonathan Xerri (knee) are rated as doubtful.
First round: Hibs vs Marsaxlokk 2-1.
Birkirkara vs Mosta (Sunday at 2 p.m., Hibs Stadium).
Birkirkara will be without winger Leighton Grech for Sunday’s match against Mosta.
The Malta U-21 player was given a one-match ban after his dismissal during the 2-0 loss to Qormi last Monday which dropped Birkirkara to fifth place.
Paul Zammit, the Birkirkara coach, is also concerned about Dragan Perisic, who has been down with flu, while Rodrigo Pereira and Rowen Muscat are struggling with injuries.
Mosta coach Steve D’Amato is buoyed by the return of Luca Martinelli who missed the 0-0 draw against Marsaxlokk through suspension but striker Gilbert Martin reported sick this week and is considered as doubtful.
First round: Mosta vs Birkirkara 1-3.
Floriana vs Tarxien Rainbows (Sunday at 4 p.m., Hibs Stadium).
Floriana will be without key duo Ivan Woods and Christian Caruana for their second-round clash with Tarxien Rainbows.
Woods and Caruana picked up ankle injuries during the 1-0 win over Mqabba last weekend.
Brazilian striker Lukas Pessanha has been released by the Greens who are hoping to replace him with a German striker who is currently on trial with Michael Woods’s team.
Tarxien are still without Brazilian forward Ricardo (hamstring) while Caio Suguino is out after receiving a one-match ban following his red card in the 4-1 defeat to Valletta.
First round: Tarxien vs Floriana 1-2.
Division One Fixtures
Today (Luxol Stadium 6 p.m. Vittoriosa Stars vs Pietà Hotspurs; 8 p.m. Lija Athletic vs Rabat Ajax.