Balzan will be without two first-team players for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Birkirkara at the Hibs Stadium.

Defender Elkin Serrano Valero and midfielder Edison Bilboa Zarate will be unavailable for Balzan coach Oliver Spiteri as both were handed a one-match ban by the Malta FA Disciplinary Commissioner yesterday.

Valero was shown a red card in Balzan’s 2-0 defeat to Floriana last weekend as Zarate picked his fourth yellow card during the same match, meaning an automatic one-match suspension.

Balzan are second in the standings on 20 points, one adrift of leaders Valletta and two ahead of third-placed Birkirkara and Hibs.

The Paolites will be without Mar-celo Dias for their match against Sliema Wanderers, also at the Corradino ground on Saturday.

The Brazilian winger was handed a one-match ban for a fourth yellow card in his team’s 1-1 draw against Birkirkara.

The Wanderers will be without captain Alex Muscat who was also suspended one match after incurring four bookings.

The other Premier League player sanctioned with a one-match ban yesterday was Pembroke defender Patmore Shereni, dismissed on his debut against Mosta last weekend.

Shereni will sit out his team’s match against Floriana at the Tedesco Stadium, on Saturday.

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