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Mosta face Pembroke Athleta in do-or-die clash

Published: 05-05-2017 13:30
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The most significant match of the final round of the BOV Premier League matches is the bottom-of-the-table clash between Mosta and Pembroke Athleta on Friday evening at the National Stadium (18.00). This do-or-die duel will decide which team gets demoted and which team will be involved in the relegation play-off against Qormi, the fourth-placed side in the BOV Division One. The two teams are rooted to the bottom of the table on 18 points. Judging by the results of both sides this could be a close affair, with the outcome depending on the day’s performance. Pembroke Athleta must make do without Miguel Attard, suspended. Brazilian playmaker Pedrinho returns from suspension for Mosta FC. In other matches on Friday, Valletta will be out to erase the recent defeats against the lower-ranked teams with a victory over Ħamrun Spartans and thus maintain hopes of a possible last fling for third place and qualification for the Europa League. This also hinges on Birkirkara obtaining maximum points at the expense of Floriana with the two games involving the third-place candidates kicking off at 20.00 on Friday evening. If Valletta and Birkirkara finish their league campaign on equal points, a decider will be needed to determine who takes the final Europa League slot but this also depends on the outcome of Birkirkaras’ appeal against their unsuccessful application for a UEFA licence for season 2017/18. The outgoing champions, without a win in their last four outings, welcome back defender Steve Borg who has completed a four-match ban. The Spartans lifted their morale after producing a commendable display in a 1-1 draw against Balzan last weekend. Manolito Micallef is suspended for the Spartans who have not beaten Valletta since 2006. The Stripes, enjoying a late revival after a somewhat inconsistent campaign, missed the chance to open a two-goal lead on Valletta after drawing 1-1 against Gżira United in their last match. SCIBERRAS INJUREDMidfielder Gareth Sciberras’s hopes of playing an active part in what would have been the last match of his career have been dashed by a knee injury. Sciberras, who announced that he will be retiring from football at the end of this season, is nonetheless expected to be given a great send-off by the Birkirkara fans before the game against Floriana. Left-back Cain Attard is also sidelined with injury for Birkirkara. For their part, Floriana will be looking to improve their form ahead of the FA Trophy semi-finals on Saturday week. The Greens will be without Jurgen Pisani and Italian striker Mario Fontanella, both suspended.Sliema face Balzan in Friday’s opening game at the Hibernians Stadium (18.00). Like Floriana and Tarxien, the Blues will be aiming to improve their form ahead of the FA Trophy semi-finals while Balzan have nothing to play for bar pride after the 1-1 draw against Ħamrun Spartans ended their title hopes.