Birkirkara and Balzan eye win to seal top-three finish

Birkirkara and Balzan will have their eyes firmly set on the three points as they look to take another significant step towards assuring themselves of a top-three finish and a place in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers with one match to spare.

After impressive victories over Gżira United and Hibernians, Birkirkara are close to the finish line as a win over Pieta‘ Hotspurs this evening will mathematically assure them of taking the runners-up spot in the standings, behind newly-crowned champions Ħamrun Spartans.

However, on the other hand, the Stripes face a Hotspurs team who are desperate for the three points as they look to go level on points with fellow relegation strugglers Żebbuġ Rangers and Santa Lucia who sit on the play-out spot, on 14 points.

In spite of this, looking at their recent form, Birkirkara will fancy their chances of finishing the job today as they should hold too much firepower for the Hotspurs.

Undoubtedly, the clash of the weekend is the match pitting against each other Balzan and Gżira United.

Oliver Spiteri’s Reds head into the match on cloud nine as their thrilling 3-2 win over Mosta on Monday had catapulted the team into third place for the first time this season, at the expense of the same Gżira United.

Balzan will be looking to pile more misery on a Gżira team who are passing through a miserable patch of form that has seen them suffer five successive league defeats and appear to be throwing away all the good work they have done for much of this season.

Coach Darren Abdilla is desperate to see a response from his team and a defeat today would spell the end of their hopes of a top-three finish as would see them slip to four points adrift of Balzan with only one match to go.

Hibernians and Mosta will be interested spectators for this match as should Balzan fail to take maximum spoils, they will have the chance to put themselves firmly in the race for third place.

The Paolites start favourites to take the three points against a Sirens team who have little to play for since they have already secured top-flight status for another season.

On the other hand, Mosta, still licking their wounds after their defeat to Balzan, will be determined to put themselves in contention when they face struggling Żebbuġ Rangers.

The Blues, who are without skipper Clayton Failla, and Precious Tenebe, who are both suspended, cannot afford to drop any points from their last two matches to stay in the hunt and no doubt will do all that is needed to take the three points and keep the pressure on Balzan.

Newly-crowned champions Ħamrun Spartans will be eyeing another win when they face second-from-bottom Santa Lucia, who on their part, will be hoping to take something from this match to put themselves ahead of Żebbuġ in the race to avoid direct relegation.

PLAYING TODAY

CENTENARY STADIUM

Marsaxlokk vs Floriana             18.00

Gudja United vs Valletta           20.30

NATIONAL STADIUM

Birkirkara vs Pieta H.   19.00

TOMORROW

NATIONAL STADIUM

Sta Lucia vs Ħamrun S.              15.00

Balzan vs Gżira Utd      17.15

TONY BEZZINA STADIUM

Hibernians vs Sirens    15.00

Żebbuġ R. vs Mosta     17.15