Stripes looking to start New Year with a win

Both teams have shown a series of inconsistencies this season and both will be hoping that the New Year will offer something more.

After ending their 2014 commitments with a 2-0 win over Qormi, the stripes will be favourites to continue where they left off and start the New Year with another win over an enigma Mosta side. On their day Mosta have proved to be a hard team to beat and B’kara need to be careful not to underestimate them.

Mosta have secured the signing of experienced central defender, Yannick Ossok, who last played in Thailand after a spell in Finland.  Mosta lost 1-0 to Balzan in their last outing.

With both sides struggling for consistency, it is hard to actually predict anything out of this match, however B’kara will go into the match as favourites for the three points. The stripes need to be winning games if they are still aspiring to challenge Hibernians in the last rounds of the season. 

Mosta will again be without suspended duo Pedro Calcado and Tyrone Farrugia.

Birkirkara should be at full strength for this match.

First rounds: 0-2

Mosta vs Birkirkara (Today at 2pm, Hibs Stadium)

Sliema, Pieta after precious points

With both clubs having the opportunity to assess their current squads during the Christmas break, it is a certainty that both sets of teams will be looking for reinforcements during the January transfer window.

With the title race looking pretty clear as to where things will be going, the focus will surely be on who will be playing in the Championship and Relegation Pool.

Sliema Wanderers should start as favourites to collect three points but they will surely not underestimate Pieta who beat Birkirkara early on in the season. Currently sitting in seventh, one point behind Mosta, Sliema will be hoping for a win to increase their chances of securing a Championship pool spot.

For Today’s match, Pieta will be without Fortunato Dos Santos and Gabriel Da Silva, both ruled out through suspension. Pieta have also lost Under 21 international Terence Agius to Balzan.

First Round: 2-0

Sliema vs Pieta (Today at 2pm, Hibs Stadium)

Runaway leaders take on strugglers Zebbug

Runaway leaders Hibernians should claim their 16th victory in their last 17 matches when they meet relegation candidates Zebbug.

Hibernians should prove too strong for a side destined to make an early return to the first division, having won just one of their 16 matches.

Coach Branko Nisevic is unlikely to make any swift changes to his side which has performed brilliantly this season. The only player missing for the leaders will be Bjorn Kristensen, who is out through suspension.

Zebbug on the other hand parted ways with Brazilian keeper Fabricio Rapchan, Serbians Randic and Mamic and together with Mexican defender Luis Pena. Rangers have however so far agreed deals with Italian midfielder Paltemio Barbetti, midfielder Kurt Zammit and English forward Rashid Yussuff.

First round: 0-4

Zebbug vs Hibs (Today at 4pm, Hibs Stadium)

Balzan debut for Agius as reds take on Tarxien

Balzan will be boosted by the recent acquisition of Under 21 international Terence Agius who joined the club from Pieta Hotspurs. Agius is expected to make his first appearance for Balzan against Tarxien.

Balzan will feature without Edison Zapate and Oscar Guerrero, both suspended, while new signing Bojan Kaljevic is also out after receiving a three match ban.

Tarxien are seriously struggling for goals this season and go into the match without any recognised strikers after the club released all their foreign forwards.

First Round: 2-3

Tarxien vs Balzan (Today at 4.15pm, Tedesco Stadium)