Zebbug hope to continue quiet ascension to safety

Zebbug will be hoping to continue their positive record of late when they take fellow relegation candidates Naxxar at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Saturday.

Zebbug Rangers managed to move off bottom place with two consecutive wins and winning three out of their last four.  Another win would put them just three points behind seventh placed Sliema with even a slim possibility of finishing in the top six well on the table.

Naxxar on the other hand have not been going through a very bright spell under Jesmond Zerafa, with their last win coming in December against rivals Mosta before the Christmas break.

When the two teams met in the first round, the crowd was left entertained throughout the whole ninety minutes with the game ending 3-3 in what was a very much open affair.

Zerafa will most likely line up with the usual Falzon upfront with Gilmar operating on the wings.  Naxxar’s newest addition Franke Temile could make his debut after moving on loan from Qormi.  His acquisition should most definitely provide a huge boost for Zerafa given the Nigerians’ pace and power when on the offensive.

Naxxar currently sit in ninth on 19 points with Zebbug sitting just one point behind in eleventh on 18 points.

Certainly this match is a big test for both sides destined to play the remainder of the season in the relegation pool with points considered to be very precious before points are reducted.

Naxxar will be without defender Emmanuel Ibok Edet.  Zebbug have no suspensions for this match with all players expected to be available.

(Saturday, 2pm, Victor Tedesco Stadium)

Victor Tedesco Stadium: Balzan Vs Pieta

Balzan look to maintain momentum

Balzan meet Pieta in the second match at the Tedesco Stadium on Saturday in a clash between two sides striving for all three points for different targets.

Balzan coach Oliver Spiteri must be feeling over the moon after his side beat Champions Valletta 2-1 last weekend and will most certainly be looking to continue the recent momentum in their objective of a top four finish.

Balzan go into this match on the heels of two huge victories over Valletta and Sliema in their last two matches.

Pieta also enter the match coming from a decent spell with a win, a draw and a loss to direct rivals Zebbug in their last three matches.  The Hotspurs are working extremely hard throughout the ninety minutes and are being slowly rewarded for their persistence and effort on the pitch.

Both of these clubs now have clearly have their season’s objectives laid out in front of them.  If Balzan can maintain form, they possess a very good chance of finishing not just in fourth, but also challenging either Birkirkara or Valletta for third which could mean a European spot.  Pieta, currently in tenth, will be hoping to work their way through safety and out of the drop zone.

Balzan will be without Gianmarco Piccioni and Bojan Kaljevic for this match through suspension.  Pieta have no suspension problems and should have all players available. 

(Saturday 4pm, Victor Tedesco Stadium)