Balzan look to tighten grip on fourth place

Fourth placed Balzan will look to tighten their grip on fourth place and increase their advantage over closest rivals Floriana as they seek a European berth next season.

Balzan are undoubtedly the surprise package this season and after their lively summer transfer campaign, it seems they will be justified by their efforts.  They are coming from a strong positive run winning their last four matches including a victory over Floriana.

Qormi on the other hand are still fighting for their position in the top flight, currently occupying ninth place on 15 points, just one point above tenth placed Tarxien.

Qormi have most certainly improved since Mark Miller took charge and have now drawn their last three matches against the likes of Floriana, Birkirkara and Sliema respectively.

Balzan will be without Colombian forward Oscar Guerrero who is out injured, but Oliver Spiteri has no injury problems to deal with.

Qormi have no suspension problems and should be at full strength for the match.

In their previous encounters this season, Balzan came out 2-1 winners in the first round, while drawing 1-1 in the second.

Qormi Vs Balzan (Today, 18.00, National Stadium)

In the second match at the National Stadium, Valletta will look to consolidate second place by beating Sliema Wanderers who have now nothing to play for for the remainder of the season.

After their derby win over their fiercest rivals Floriana last weekend, Valletta will look to add another win this time against Sliema Wanderers to consolidate second place and delay current leader’s Hibernians’ title celebrations for at least another week.

The current champions will look to make quick work over a disappointing Sliema side out of contention from a European berth and knocked out of the FA Trophy. 

Sliema are sitting comfortably in sixth place on 22 points and were even close to serving Hibernians their first defeat of the season.

It has been a disappointing season indeed for the blues who after resigning talisman Michael Mifsud among other players, were expected to at least challenge for a place in the top four.  Disappointingly, they have managed just nine wins out of 29 matches.

Valletta though never being impressive this season, are on a good run and have now registered six consecutive wins to go above Birkirkara in second.  Valletta have a major advantage over their opponents on Friday when looking at the quality of the players of the two sides, and the difference in form of both teams with the citizens winning both previous encounters this season 5-0 and 3-1 respectively.

For this match Sliema have no suspension problems while Valletta will be missing Hamza Barry and Luke Dimech who will both serve a one match ban.  Ian Azzopardi who was injured during the match against Floriana last week, may be available for selection.

Sliema Vs Valletta (Today, 20.00, National Stadium)