Top-six challengers Ħamrun Spartans and Marsaxlokk will be involved in a potentially crucial match at the Tedesco Stadium this evening (kick-off 7.30 p.m.).
Ħamrun defenders Roderick Fenech (left) and Massimo Grima try to stop Marsaxlokk’s Ruben Guerreiro Gravata in the first round match.
At present, the Spartans and the Blues are level in sixth place on 19 points, three ahead of nearest rivals Sliema Wanderers and five clear of eighth-placed Qormi.
With only three games remaining for the end of the 2010/11 Premier League’s first phase, the winners of today’s encounter would all but seal their place in the Championship Pool this season.
The two contestants had a contrasting build-up to their direct clash. Marsaxlokk have improved lately and their goalless draw with leaders Valletta last weekend extended their unbeaten run to three matches.
Ħamrun, plagued by a growing injury list, are coming from three straight league defeats, a sequence which has dented their Championship Pool chances besides piling the pressure on coach Steve D’Amato.
Marsaxlokk coach Patrick Curmi, who had a short spell in charge of the Spartans earlier in his career, is not reading much into the Spartans’ recent results. He has called on his players to maintain their positive streak with victory in today’s match.
“We have reached a decisive stage of the season,” Curmi told The Times.
“We have a narrow lead over our nearest rivals but it’s not enough to put our minds at rest with regards to gaining a place in the Championship Pool. Our match against Ħamrun is a decisive test for our ambitions and I hope my team build on the positive form we showed in our last matches.
“Ħamrun will come out with all guns blazing in a bid to get the three points but we are well-prepared for this match as our target is to win and secure our place in the Championship Pool.”
Curmi has to make one change from the team that drew with Valletta as Bulgarian Rumen Galabov is out with a one-match ban. Defender Clive Brincat is also sidelined with a knee injury.
For Ħamrun, tonight’s match comes at a very delicate time. This week, the Spartans sold their talisman Ryan Fenech to Valletta with winger Dyson Falzon moving in the opposite direction on a loan deal.
Coach D’Amato is hopeful that the arrival of Falzon will boost his team’s forward line which has been rather erratic in recent matches. In Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Birkirkara, the Spartans missed a spate of open scoring chances and they paid dearly for their wastefulness.
“The match against Marsaxlokk has taken on added significance after three successive defeats,” D’Amato said.
“Despite the negative results of late, the team’s performances have been quite good but poor finishing has cost us very dear. I hope the inclusion of Dyson Falzon will give us a timely boost.
“I am confident that the players will turn the corner sooner rather than later.”
D’Amato has some key players missing for today’s match as defender Roderick Fenech has joined team-mate Martin Hrubsa on the casualty list with a thigh injury while midfielder Rupert Mangion is out with a one-match ban.
Striker Dene Shields is still recovering from a knee operation.
Marsaxlokk vs Ħamrun Spartans 2-1. Today: (Tedesco Stadium) 7.30 p.m. Ħamrun Spartans vs Marsaxlokk. Tomorrow: (National Stadium) 2 p.m. Qormi vs Hibs; 4 p.m. Sliema Wanderers vs Valletta. Sunday: (Hibs Stadium) 2 p.m. Tarxien Rainbows vs Floriana; 4 p.m. Vittoriosa Stars vs Birkirkara.