The 360 Sports Malta Premier is set for another fascinating weekend of matches that will see Ħamrun Spartans and nearest rivals Floriana looking to try and distance themselves from their rivals while in-form Hibernians and Sliema Wanderers are set for tricky derby fixtures.
The plum fixture of the weekend is the clash between Hibernians and Żabbar St Patrick which will be played at the National Stadium tomorrow.
Hibernians come into the clash on a high as they have won their last three clashes in all competitions to put themselves in a strong position for a Top Six berth.
Branko Nisevic’s side is showing signs of revival after a low-key Opening Round but will be aware of the tricky challenge awaiting them as they face a Żabbar St Patrick side who have made life difficult to all big guns of the league this season.
Last week, the Saints could consider themselves unlucky to have left the Tony Bezzina Stadium empty-handed after a battling display against champions Ħamrun Spartans which resulted in a 1-0 defeat.
Żabbar will be determined to end a run of three successive defeats in all competitions and will be aware that a win over the Paolites will give their charge for a Top Six finish a major push.
Sliema Wanderers will be looking to keep up the pressure on the league pacesetters when they face neighbouring rivals Gżira United tomorrow.
The two sides come into the match in completely contrasting forms. The Blues, under the charge of Paul Zammit, have won three of their last four matches and are trailing leaders Ħamrun Spartans by only two points.
Gżira, on the other hand, are passing through a difficult spell as they have picked just one point from their last two league fixtures while they also suffered a disappointing elimination from the FA Trophy at the hands of Valletta in extra-time.
The most concerning aspect for coach Giovanni Tedesco is their team’s disciplinary record as the Maroons had a player sent off in each of their last three matches and surely need to address such shortcoming if they are to remain competitive for a Top Six berth.
A win against Sliema is a must for the Maroons who are currently second from bottom on five points, four behind sixth-placed Marsaxlokk.
Ħamrun Spartans will fancy their chances of making it two wins in a row when they take on Melita on Sunday.
The Reds needed a maiden goal from Cesar Menacho to overcome Żabbar SP and coach Alessandro Zinnari will be hoping that strike can help the Bolivian forward continue to leave his mark as they eye top spot at the end of the Closing Round.
Floriana also start favourities for the three points against Balzan but will be wary of their opponents who looked a transformed side now that they are under the leadership of Andrew Cohen.
Birkirkara will be up against bottom-placed Naxxar Lions as the Stripes look to maintain their charge for a top-placing in the Opening Round.
For the Lions, this is another crucial match. After five successive defeats, they cannot afford to lose more ground on their rivals if they are to stay in the hunt to avoid the bottom two places.
Match-Day Six will get under way this evening at the Tedesco Stadium when Marsaxlokk will be looking to bounce back from last Sunday’s disappointing defeat to Floriana when they take on lowly Mosta at the Tedesco Stadium.
Marsaxlokk were left irate by some refereeing decisions which they believe cost them dearly against Floriana and will be determined to get back to winning ways to try and reclaim top spot in the Closing Round standings as they seek to boost their ambitions of making it into the Top Six.
