Sliema’s Gary Muir (left) loses his balance after being challenged by Balzan midfielder Dylan Grima. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

On a roll after collecting 10 wins and two draws from their last 12 league outings, Balzan look to have all the attributes to sustain their title challenge but coach Oliver Spiteri has been at pains to keep the soaring expectations in check.

“Winning the championship is not impossible but very difficult,” Spiteri told Times of Malta ahead of Balzan’s clash with Sliema Wanderers this afternoon.

“I can’t see (leaders) Valletta dropping six points in their remaining six games.

“We are coming from a good run that stretches back to the week before Christmas but the teams above us, Valletta and Hibernians, have been very consistent throughout.

“Birkirkara and Floriana have also maintained their challenge. It’s a difficult championship but we are determined to keep doing our job and see where that takes us until the end of the season.”

Spiteri’s reluctance to talk up his side’s chances is motivated by his desire not to raise expectations but Balzan’s 12-match unbeaten streak suggests that the players are coping well with the pressures of the title race.

“The team gelled immediately after we signed some new players in January,” Spiteri reflected.

“There is an element of luck about this but it also shows that the group of players who started the season believed in our work.

“The championship this year is very interesting because the top five have kept up the pressure. We are doing our best to translate that pressure into good results.”

Last weekend, Balzan extended their hot scoring form after thrashing relegation candidates Naxxar Lions 8-0 but Spiteri warned that Sliema will be no pushovers.

“They have added a lot of players in January,” Spiteri said.

“Sliema also went through a coaching change and this normally brings fresh enthusiasm and motivation among the players.

“Alfonso Greco knows Maltese football well and has done a good job wherever he has coached, also at Żebbuġ Rangers last season.

“It’s going to be a tough game but we also know that we are playing well in all departments.

“If we are at the top of our game, I’m confident that we will not miss out on the three points.”

Defender Samir Arab is out for Balzan as he has yet to complete a three-match ban while midfielder Ryan Fenech is sidelined with a groin injury.

The Wanderers will be without Serbian Marko Potezica, suspended, while fellow midfielders Mark Scerri and Mandinho are rated as doubtful.

Greco has called on his players to cut out the mistakes that cost them dearly in last weekend’s 2-1 reverse to Birkirkara, Sliema’s second successive setback after the 3-0 defeat to Valletta.

“We threw away the match against Birkirkara,” Greco said after Matija Smrekar’s late free-kick denied Sliema what would have been a deserved point.

“You could say that we were unfortunate to lose our last match but this was not just down to luck.

“Our concentration dropped and we need to address these shortcomings fast.

“We are playing against a strong team as Balzan are on the same level as Valletta and Hibernians. We have to put in a totally committed performance.”

Greco acknowledged that his team’s hopes of avoiding their a defeat in as many meetings with Balzan hinge on their ability to keep the likes of Alfred Effiong, Pedrinho, Alan da Silva Souza and Lydon Micallef at bay.

“We know that Balzan are very strong in attack,” the Italian said.

“They have important players in their squad who can be decisive.

“We have to stop the Balzan strikers from expressing themselves.”

Down to eighth in the standings, Sliema’s remaining interest in the league lies in pulling further clear of the bottom three places but they have a FA Trophy quarter-final against St Andrew’s to look forward to.

“Our situation in the league means that the FA Trophy is our main target now,” Greco, who took over from Stephen Azzopardi last month, said.

“Our aim in the championship is to win as many points as possible until the end of season.

“This is key to keep our motivation levels high, also in view of the cup quarter-final.”

Previous results: Balzan vs Sliema Wanderers 1-0, 2-0.