Leaders Hamrun Spartans are in for a difficult test as they take on Hibernians in one of seven matches from match-day 15 of the BOV Premier League this weekend following a break due to the festive season.
Other important games should be the clash between Gzira United and Gudja United, Floriana and Sirens and the one between Mosta and Marsaxlokk.
In the first match at the National Stadium on Saturday, kick-off at 14:00, Gzira United take on Gudja United.
Five points separate the two teams with Gzira lying in second place on 28 points, five ahead of Gudja who share the fifth place with Mosta. The Maroons registered back-to-back wins over Zebbug (2-0) and Santa Lucia (1-0) following a shock defeat to Balzan. Gudja, on the other hand, won two out of the last three matches, defeating Valletta 1-0 and Mosta 2-1, losing 1-2 to Hamrun.
In the first round, the two teams shared the spoils in a 3-3 draw.
In the first match at the Tony Bezzina Stadium, kick-off at 14:00, Floriana face Sirens.
The Greens are currently seventh on 22 points while Sirens are tenth on 18. After a draw with Marsaxlokk and a defeat to Hibernians, Floriana returned to winning ways, beating Pieta’ Hotspurs 3-1. Sirens, on the other hand, won four out of their last five matches, defeating Birkirkara 1-0 in their last outing.
Birkirkara defeated Sirens 2-0 in the first round.
At the National Stadium, on Saturday, kick-off at 16:15, Balzan take on Santa Lucia.
Balzan are currently ninth on 20 points while Santa Lucia are second from bottom on five points. Balzan won two out of the last three matches, defeating Gzira 1-0 and Zebbug 3-2, losing 1-2 to Birkirkara. Santa Lucia, on the other hand, lost their last five matches to Floriana, Valletta, Hamrun, Mosta and Gzira, scoring one and conceding eight.
In the first round, Balzan defeated Santa Lucia 2-0.
At the Tony Bezzina Stadium, on Saturday, kick-off at 16:15, Birkirkara face Zebbug Rangers.
The Stripes are currently fourth on 25 points with Zebbug lying third from bottom on seven points. Birkirkara lost 0-1 to Sirens following back-to-back wins over Pieta’ and Balzan. Zebbug, on the other hand, failed to collect any points from their last three matches against Mosta, Gzira and Balzan.
In the first round, Birkirkara defeated Zebbug 2-1.
At the Centenary Stadium on Sunday, kick-off at 11:30, Mosta take on Marsaxlokk.
Mosta share fifth place with Gudja on 23 points while Marsaxlokk are currently eleventh on 14 points. The Blues are coming from a 1-2 defeat to Gudja after claiming maximum points from the previous three matches against Balzan, Zebbug and Santa Lucia. On the other hand, the Southseasiders earned just three points from the last six matches in draws with Hibernians, Pieta’ and Floriana, losing to Sirens, Valletta and Hamrun
In the first round, Mosta defeated Marsaxlokk 4-1.
At the National Stadium on Sunday, kick-off at 15:00, Hamrun Spartans face Hibernians.
Hamrun lead the way with 37 points with Hibernians lying in third place on 27 points. The Spartans won six out of the last seven matches – five of whcih with just a one-goal difference. The Paolites, on the other hand, are coming from a heavy 0-4 defeat to Valletta.
In the first round, Hamrun defeated Hibernians 4-1.
At the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Sunday, kick-off at 15:00, Valletta take on Pieta’ Hotspurs.
Valletta are currently eighth on 21 points with the Hotspurs lying at the bottom of the table with just four. Citizens won five out of the last six matches, defeating Hibernians 4-0 in their last outing. The Hotspurs, on the other hand, lost six out of the last seven matches, earning their only point in a draw with Marsaxlokk. They lost 1-3 to Floriana in their last outing.
In the first round, Valletta defeated Pieta’ 6-1.
Report: Malta Football
