Despite their negative results of late, Birkirkara and Hibs are still looked at as title contenders but both are under pressure to reassert their status ahead of today’s direct clash at the Hibs Stadium (kick-off 5 p.m.).
After their spirited display in the one-all draw with Valletta, Birkir-kara were handed a reality check last Friday when going down 3-1 to Ħamrun. For their part, Hibs have only collected one point from their last three outings.
The manner of Birkirkara’s upset to Ħamrun infuriated coach Paul Zammit who insisted that it was now up to himself and the players to make amends.
“In football, you’re only as good as your last match and in our case, that was very disappointing,” Zammit said.
“Analysing the match, it was evident that our approach was not really ideal. You can talk for as long as you like but it’s what you do on the pitch that counts.”
Zammit revealed that the committee had a meeting with the players and technical staff after Friday’s defeat.
“The administration have spoken to us,” Zammit said.
“We all agreed that the club haven’t assembled this team to have this kind of match in return.
“I hope that we don’t forget this showing though as it should serve as an eye-opener of how a team of a certain stature can drop to such low levels if the approach is not right.
“And if the standard of our game is such that a team like ours is prone to produce such poor perfor-mances, then I’m afraid to say the level is poorer than we think.”
Zammit must cope without mid-fielder Paul Fenech, suspended.
Brazilian forward Joselito will have surgery to cure a nagging ankle problem and will be out for up to six weeks.
Hibs coach Michael Woods knows that his side can’t afford to lose further ground.
“It’s important that we keep the pace with the front-runners,” Woods told The Times.
“To do that, we have to return to winning ways. In the last two games, we have paid a high price for missing scoring chances.
“Also, we have to keep in mind that Clayton Failla and Jean Paul Farrugia were playing their first game after a long absence last weekend.”
Woods must make at least two changes to the team that started the derby against Tarxien as Adrian Pulis and Zoran Levnaic are banned. Andrew Cohen has a 50-50 chance as he is still recovering from a dislocated elbow while Jonathan Pearson is out with knee trouble.
Jason Lee Vandelannoite no lon-ger forms part of the Hibs squad after terminating his contract with the club. Rumours are rife that the Belgian defender is now eyeing a January move to Valletta.
Woods is bracing himself for a tough challenge today.
“It’s going to be a difficult game against Birkirkara,” Woods said.
“They are in the same position as us, I suppose. Their aim is to fight for the title and they want to win this game to keep in touch with Valletta.
“The issue is still open... remember points will be halved at the end of the second round.”
The other matches
Floriana vs Tarxien Rainbows (today 15.00, Hibs Stadium).
Floriana will fancy their chances of beating a depleted Tarxien side.
The Greens, who lost 2-0 to Valletta last weekend, will be without Owen Bugeja after the defender suffered an elbow injury in Malta U-21s’ 5-0 defeat to Italy U-21 B earlier this week.
Valdo Alhinho is unavailable and goalkeeper Jonathan Debono is still not 100 per cent while young custodian Jurgen Borg is also injured.
English defender Aaron Brown returns from a three-match ban.
Four Tarxien players – Justin Grioli, Manuel Caruana, Daniel Mariano Bueno and Andrezinho – must serve a one-match ban.
Tarxien have also lost Ryan Sammut to injury while Carlo Mamo and defender Evaldo are doubtful.
Balzan vs Mosta (tomorrow 15.00, Tedesco Stadium).
Balzan and Mosta are on a high after beating Sliema and Rabat in their last outings.
Ivan Zammit, the Balzan coach, must make do without three key players, namely Jamie Pace, Dylan Grima and Matthew Mendy – all suspended.
Goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri is recovering from a cruciate operation.
For Mosta, Alex Cini and Ousseni Zongo are ranked as doubtful as both have been ill this week.
Ħamrun vs Qormi (tomorrow 17.00, Tedesco Stadium).
The clash between Ħamrun and Qormi should develop into a keenly-contested affair as the two rivals are chasing vital points to boost their Championship Pool hopes.
Qormi coach Jesmond Zerafa is concerned about the fitness of Jonathan Bondin, who came off in the second half of Sunday’s defeat to Melita, while Triston Caruana is still recuperating from knee surgery.
Ħamrun coach Stefan Sultana must make at least one change to the team that beat Birkirkara as all-rounder Massimo Grima is suspended.
Daniel Zerafa is struggling to shake off the injury that ended his hopes of playing for Malta U-21 in the midweek friendly.