Ħamrun Spartans, Marsaxlokk, and Hibernians will all be vying for top spot in the YoHealth Malta Premier League, as the Maltese top flight continues with its congested fixture list when Match Day Six is played between Tuesday and Wednesday.
It has been a very hectic September for the 12 top-flight sides, as they had to play three matches in the space of nine days.
And the fixture congestion is unlikely to get better as they will be involved in another three Match Days in the next 10 days before the pause for the international break.
All eyes will be on the Tony Bezzina Stadium this evening, when champions Ħamrun Spartans will be up against Marsaxlokk, before leaders Hibernians will be involved in their first derby of the season when they face neighbouring rivals Tarxien Rainbows.
Ħamrun Spartans and Marsaxlokk head into tonight’s fixture determined to bounce back from their disappointing showings last weekend, which saw them drop precious points in their bid to secure a top-two placing at the end of the Opening Round.
Much more was expected from Ħamrun Spartans, who could only manage a goalless draw against Gżira United, a result which saw them slip two points adrift of leaders Hibernians.
Against the Maroons, the Spartans dominated possession but were not at their best when it came to creating chances, and when they did, they failed to make the most of them.
Ivorian forward N’Dri Koffi had the team’s best chances, but he failed to finish them off to remain in search of his first goal in the Maltese Premier League.
The Malta champions are set for a much tougher test this evening against a Marsaxlokk team who have already shown this season that they can aspire to challenge for a top-two placing this season.
The Southerners also have a lot to prove after their low-key showing against Floriana, which condemned them to their second defeat of the season.
Coach Vincenzo Potenza will be expecting a strong response from his players as they look to stay in touch with the Premier League pacesetters.
Injury concern
One major concern for Marsaxlokk is the absence of key defender Oualid El Hasni, who picked up an injury against Floriana.
The day’s second fixture brings against each other Hibernians and Tarxien Rainbows, two neighbouring sides, who will rekindle their long-standing rivalry in the Premier League after an absence of a few years.
Hibernians will start the match as clear favourites for the three points, given their bright start to the championship. However, not everything has been plain sailing at the Paola club this season.
Branko Nisevic’s men warmed up for this match with a comfortable 2-0 win over Naxxar Lions, but their performance has been anything but perfect, as after taking the lead with virtually their first kick at goal of the match, they saw their early momentum evaporate, enabling their opponents to get into the match.
Eventually, they did manage to seal the points with a vital second goal in the latter stages, but Branko Nisevic will expect much better from his players to make their superior technical strength count in these matches.
No doubt, today, Hibernians cannot afford to underestimate a Tarxien Rainbows side, who have shown that they are more than capable of holding their own against the division’s top guns.
Jacques Scerri’s team have managed to consistently pick up points in recent weeks to move clear of the drop zone.
The Rainbows may not have a lot of star signings in their squad, but they make of their high work-rate and resilience as their biggest weapons and surely will fancy their chances to try and upstage their more-quoted neighbours.
