Watch: Floriana coach Portela says all pressure is on Ħamrun Spartans in top-of-the-table clash

Floriana have the chance to seal first place in the Top Six when they face rivals Ħamrun Spartans in a top-of-the-table clash on Wednesday at the National Stadium (kick-off: 7.30pm).

With just two matches to go till the end of the Opening Round, Floriana, who hold a four-point advantage over their rivals, need just a point against champions Ħamrun Spartans to be declared as champions of the first phase of the YoHealth Malta Premier League.

On the other hand, Ħamrun Spartans have no margin for error as they need to beat Floriana at all costs and bridge the gap to just one point and take the battle for top spot to the final day of the phase, when they face Sliema Wanderers this weekend.

Floriana have a score to settle against the Spartans as so far they have failed to beat them this season, suffering a 3-1 defeat in the League Phase before succumbing to a 2-0 defeat in the Last 16 of the Jubilee Cup.

However, coach Daniel Portela said that while his team will approach the match with the same attitude to try and take the three points, he believes that all the pressure is on the Spartans, who need to win the match at all costs.

“We respect all the teams and try to stay humble and work hard,” Portela said.

“We have indeed played Ħamrun on two occasions. In the first match, I didn’t like our performance, and in the second match, we were unlucky with the episodes that happened.

“But tomorrow we are under no pressure as it’s Ħamrun Spartans who need to win at all costs to stay in the hunt for top spot. If we lose we have another opportunity on Sunday against Floriana.

“Our fate is firmly in our hand and we need to focus and try to get the positive result we need to seal the top spot. It’s a great challenge for us, as I know that we are facing a very strong opponent, but we are a strong team, so whoever commits the fewest mistakes will come out on top.”

On his part, Floriana skipper Dunstan Vella admitted that the game against Ħamrun is a crucial one for his club and said that they will take the field with just one mindset – to try and take all three points.

“It’s a crucial match for both teams,” Vella said.

“We have been on more than one occasion in a position where we could settle for a point to reach our target. But my experience teaches me that many times when you take that approach, you end up giving the initiative to your opponent, and you end up trying to fend off your opponent’s pressure.

“Finishing in top spot is something we are determined to achieve as it will crown all the good work we have done during the first part of the championship, so we need to ensure we finish the job.

“One huge positive that we can take so far is the development of the team as we have grown a lot and I am looking forward to seeing this team reach higher standards.”