Ħamrun Spartans will be without two key players for Saturday’s Premier League match against Santa Lucia as defender Emerson Marcelina and midfielder Roko Prsa were both handed a one-match ban by the Malta FA Disciplinary Commissioner.
The Spartans face a must-win match against relegation-threatened Santa Lucia on Saturday as they look to remain in this season’s title race. The Malta champions are currently trailing leaders Floriana by two point with just three matches to go.
Against Santa Lucia, coach Luciano Zauri will be without Brazilian defender Marcelina who was sent off for two bookable offences in last weekend’s 1-0 win over Gżira United on Saturday.
On the other hand, Prsa was sanctioned with a one-match ban after he picked up his fourth yellow card during the game against Gżira United, where the Croatian midfielder headed home the Spartans’ winner.
On a more positive note for the Ħamrun coach, he will be boosted by the return of winger Joseph Mbong and Montenegrin forward Uros Duranovic who were forced to miss out on the team’s recent matches due to suspension.
On their part, Santa Lucia, who are sitting just outside the relegation zone, two points clear of Mosta, will be without Nigerian midfielder Abraham Temitope Ojo who also must serve a one-match ban.
Ojo was sanctioned after he was sent off in Sta Lucia’s 3-0 defeat to Marsaxlokk last Friday.
In another key clash scheduled for this weekend, Balzan will be without Ryohei Michibuchi for their match against Valletta.
Michibuchi picked up his fourth yellow card during the 1-1 draw against Sliema Wanderers and has been handed a one-match ban.
Valletta, on their part, will be without defender Juan Bolanos after the latter was sent off for two bookable offences in last Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Hibernians.
The other players who will be serving a one-match ban are Sliema defender Gustavo Alcino, who will skip his team’s clash against Naxxar Lions, and Bradley Farrugia who is ineligible for Mosta to face Hibernians.
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