Valletta and Ħamrun Spartans battle for place in UEFA Conference League

Both sides will be seeking redemption after last weekend’s disappointment of missing out on a place in the Finalissima, and their mind will be firmly set on securing a win at the National Stadium (kick-off: 7pm).

Ħamrun Spartans, the outgoing champions, are still licking their wounds after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Marsaxlokk in extra time that ended their bid to defend their status as Malta champions, which they held for the last three years.

The stakes are massively high for the Spartans as Friday’s match is a make-or-break for their aspirations of booking a place in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers.

This is because it is the final chance for the Spartans to return to European football. A defeat against Valletta would leave them hoping that the Citizens will beat Gżira United in the FA Trophy final later on this month to sneak into Europe.

The Spartans will be aware of the difficulty of the task ahead as not only have they been in poor form in recent weeks, but they face a Valletta side that managed to beat them on more than one occasion this season, most notably in the quarter-final stage of both the Jubilee Cup and the FA Trophy.

Coach Giacomo Modica’s bid is further complicated by the loss of wingback Ryan Camenzuli to injury and probably also of central defender Emerson Marcelina who looked to have picked up a muscle injury against Marsaxlokk last weekend.

Irrespective of these setbacks, the Spartans must regroup and reset if they are to overcome Valletta’s challenge, as the Citizens will surely be relishing the chance of delivering the final nail in the Spartans’ dismal domestic season with victory on Friday.

Thane Micallef’s men will be equally seething after their heartbreaking defeat against Floriana, where they lost the Final Four semi-final 3-1 on penalties after it ended in a goalless draw.

Valletta coach Thane Micallef is sweating on the fitness of skipper Steve Borg, who seemed to have picked up an injury against Floriana.

But other than that, he will be able to pick up from a squad of players who will be determined to end their excellent league campaign in style with victory over their ‘old enemy’.

The pressure will not be on Valletta players who can still qualify to European football even if they lose tonight’s match they can still complete their return to UEFA club competitions with victory in the FA Trophy final against Gżira United.