Hibernians will be looking to banish any suggestions that the departure of prolific striker Luis Edison might undermine their title momentum when they take on Mosta this evening at the National Stadium (kick-off 6pm).
Eight points clear of Birkirkara at the summit, Hibernians are bang on course to wrap up the title with something to spare but in their first match since Edison ‘Tarabai’ left to join South Korean club Seoul E-Land on an initial season-long loan, the Paolites could only manage a 2-2 draw against Naxxar Lions.
That partial slip-up led to whispers that Hibs might struggle in attack without their Brazilian hitman, the Premier League’s leading scorer with 25 goals, but coach Branko Nisevic firmly believes that they have enough strength-in-depth to overcome Tarabai’s absence.
“Tarabai was a very important player for us but, in the two games he has missed this season, we managed to score seven goals in all,” Nisevic told Times of Malta.
“We have demonstrated that our team is not a one-man show. As I said, Tarabai was a key player but that’s in the past now.
“I believe that we have enough material in our squad to replace him.”
Although Hibs have nothing to prove on the back of their amazing record of 27 games without defeat, they will be determined to get back to winning ways today as any further loss of points would give Birkirkara and Valletta, their nearest pursuers, a ray of hope.
This is the message Nisevic has been striving to get across to his players in the lead-up to today’s encounter with Mosta.
“We spoke about this,” the Serbian coach said yesterday.
“The challenge facing our team is not physical or technical... it’s about our mental approach.
“We need to be fully focused and concentrated. We have dropped two points (against Naxxar) but that’s normal.
“We are realistic.
“Even the other teams have dropped points in the final minutes.
“We didn’t expect to win all games.”
Defender Andrei Agius, who produced a composed performance in Malta’s 2-0 defeat to Azerbaijan last Saturday, returns for Hibs after serving a one-match ban.
Brazilian wing-back Marcelo Dias has made significant progress in his recovery from injury and could be included in the squad today.
Mosta began the season with high hopes of challenging for a European berth after finishing fourth last year but they find themselves at risk of slipping into the relegation mire following a turbulent campaign.
The Blues have slithered to eighth in the standings, only five points clear of Pietà Hotspurs and Żebbuġ Rangers who are second-from-bottom.
On paper, their chances of spoiling Hibs’ unbeaten run are slim but coach Peter Smith insisted that this is another important game for Mosta, irrespective of the strength of the opposition.
“We’re going into this game as we do for every match really,” Smith said.
“We’ve lost a couple of players but we’re treating it as a very important game for us.
“It’s going to be tough.
“Hibernians have been top of the league for a reason, they are the best team in the championship, but we hope to do well and they have an off day.”
Smith admitted that Mosta’s target for the remainder of the season is to distance themselves from the relegation zone.
“We want to try and get as many points as possible,” he said.
“That’s our objective now.”
The Mosta coach can’t send out his best formation today as Cameroonian wing-back Jonas Rodriguez Ekani is injured and English midfielder Gary Roberts, who scored his side’s goal in the 3-1 defeat to Valletta before the international break, is unlikely to play as he has been unwell all week.
Previous results: Hibernians vs Mosta 5-0, 1-1.