Amid the growing hype ahead of Saturday’s potentially decisive clash between leaders Birkirkara and title rivals Valletta, coach Andre Paus has called on his players to focus solely on their impending match against Balzan this evening at the National Stadium (8pm).
Paus’s concerns are certainly justified as failure to claim three points today would ruin Valletta’s title dream after Birkirkara extended their lead at the top to five points following their 4-1 win over Hibs.
“Our eyes must be focused on the Balzan game,” Valletta coach Paus told Times of Malta.
“Everybody is talking about the Birkirkara match but I’ve tried to make it clear that our next fixture is the most important.
“We must concentrate on this game only. We need to do our job, do our task on the field of play and try to win the game,
“I’m pleased with the performances of the team in the last three games.
“I was satisfied with the focus, character and attitude of the players.”
Valletta, who turned in a fine display in their 5-0 demolition of Mosta, are regarded as favourites to overcome a Balzan team who have nothing left to play for bar pride.
However, Paus is wary of the prospect of facing a team that is playing without pressure.
“Balzan have the freedom to express themselves as there is no pressure on them,” the former Vitesse reserves team coach said.
“From our side, there are still many things to fight for.”
A flowing display against Balzan would not only galvanise Valletta’s belief but also enhance the rising optimism among their fans ahead of the Birkirkara clash but Paus again insisted that his foremost priority is to win the next game.
“I’m not thinking about Birkirkara,” Paus said.
“If we win this game, our destiny will remain in our hands and that also applies to Birkirkara.
“That is very clear.
“For us, it’s important that we remain on the path we have taken in the last couple of weeks.
“I’m very confident in the capabilities of my players and the team as a whole.
“Denni is also back in the side. He knows well what we expect from him and he certainly responded well in the game against Mosta.
“All the players will be motivated for the Balzan game.”
The absence of Roderick Briffa, suspended, will force Paus into one change from the Mosta game but, on the plus side, defenders Jonathan Caruana and Luke Dimech are available after serving a one-match ban.
After breaking their Championship Pool duck with a 1-0 win over Sliema , Balzan provided further proof of their ability to hold their own against the top teams by holding Hibs to a 4-4 draw in a rollercoaster encounter.
Coach Jesmond Zerafa is keen for his team to consolidate their burgeoning reputation.
“Our aim is to produce a good showing in the remaining two games,” Zerafa said. “The performance is the most important thing.
“Every game against Birkirkara and Valletta represents a big challenge because they are two teams whose only target is to win.
“I’m sure that our players will do their best. We have no pressure.... all the pressure is on Valletta.”
Although Balzan have fallen far behind the top five teams, Zerafa declared himself pleased with the commitment shown by his side in only their second appearance in the Championship Pool.
“Our performances in the Championship Pool have been very satisfactory,” Zerafa said.
“We haven’t suffered any humiliating defeats and I believe we have given a valid challenge to all the teams.”
Zerafa must make do without Italian midfielder Fabio Vignaroli, suspended, and Luke Sciberras, injured.
Balzan held Valletta to a one-all draw in the first round but lost their next two games, 1-0 and 3-1.
Today’s opening match is a direct clash for fourth place between Euro hopefuls Sliema and Mosta.
Mosta will be assured of fourth spot if they beat Sliema while the latter, a point behind, need a win to keep their top-four hopes alive.
Both teams made headlines for the wrong reasons after their last outings as Mosta’s 5-0 loss to Valletta was only eclipsed by Sliema’s 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Birkirkara.
Sliema coach Alfonso Greco will be relieved to have most of his key players available for this crucial match as Italian midfielder Paltemio Barbetti, Bosnian playmaker Admir Vladavic, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino and Beppe Muscat return from suspension.
Mosta were dealt an unexpected blow last week with the news that striker Bojan Kaljevic, who has scored 11 league goals, was handed a one-match ban. Kaljevic was sanctioned after he reportedly swore in the direction of the Valletta bench following his substitution.
Mosta edged Sliema 3-2 in the first round but the other two games ended one-all.
Today’s fixtures
National Stadum: BOV Premier League 6pm Sliema Wanderers vs Mosta; 8pm Valletta vs Balzan.
Tedesco Stadium: BOV Division One 6pm Melita vs Gudja United; 8.15pm Ħamrun Spartans vs Msida St Joseph.
Current standings
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Birkirkara | 31 | 25 | 3 | 3 | 76 | 23 | 50 |
| Valletta | 30 | 22 | 5 | 3 | 71 | 21 | 45 |
| Hibernians | 31 | 18 | 4 | 9 | 76 | 48 | 35 |
| Mosta | 30 | 14 | 5 | 11 | 55 | 56 | 28 |
| Sliema | 30 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 51 | 41 | 27 |
| Balzan | 30 | 9 | 5 | 16 | 35 | 54 | 18 |
| Floriana | 31 | 13 | 5 | 13 | 48 | 47 | 27 |
| Qormi | 31 | 10 | 4 | 17 | 49 | 58 | 26 |
| Tarxien | 31 | 9 | 6 | 16 | 47 | 53 | 25 |
| Vittoriosa | 31 | 9 | 6 | 16 | 40 | 63 | 24 |
| Naxxar Lions | 31 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 37 | 54 | 23 |
| Rabat Ajax | 31 | 1 | 4 | 26 | 22 | 89 | 4 |