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Leaders Floriana meet upbeat Senglea – MD8 Preview

Published: 25-10-2019 09:45
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Floriana vs Senglea Athletic (Friday – Centenary Stadium, 6pm)Matchday eight of the 2019-20 BOV Premier League kicks off with the encounter between leaders Floriana and Senglea Athletic, in sixth place, with only six points seperating the two teams. This game will see Floriana coach Vincenco Potenza and players Diego Venancio, Matias Nicolas Garcia and Augusto Caceres face their former club. The Greens, still unbeaten this season, are coming from a 4-1 victory over Sirens while Senglea are also on a high after defeating Sliema Wanderers 2-0. Sliema Wanderers vs Mosta (Friday – Centenary Stadium, 8.15pm) Sliema Wanderers and Mosta have had constrasting fortunes so far this season. While Sliema have only won once in seven matches, Mosta are coming from back-to-back wins over Ħamrun Spartans and Santa Lucia. Alfonso Greco, the Sliema Wanderers coach, must make do without Colombian defender Robert Carvajal Diaz after being sent off in the 2-0 defeat to Senglea Athletic. On a better note, Seydou Sow is back for Sliema after serving a one-match ban. Mosta, in seventh place with 10 points, have no selection problems with Edin Murga in line to return. Gżira United vs Gudja United (Saturday– Centenary Stadium, 3pm) Gżira United will be looking to extend their winning run when they meet Gudja United who are still looking for their first win in the top flight. After four consecutive draws, the Maroons seem to have found their form after obtaining three consecutive wins – Balzan (2-0), Valletta( 3-1) and Birkirkara (3-1). After three successive draws, Gudja have lost their last three games but their spirited performance in the narrow defeat to champions Valletta should enhance their optimism ahead of their difficult encounter with Gżira. At present, Gudja United are second from bottom with four points. Valletta vs Tarxien Rainbows (Saturday– Centenary Stadium, 5.15 pm) Champions Valletta face Tarxien Rainbows who are still without a point after seven games. The Whites returned to winning ways last weekend, edging Gudja United 1-0 thanks to Mario Fontanella’s goal. They are fifth in the standings on 11 point, six behind Floriana. Brazilian forward Yuri De Jesus Messiah is no longer part of the Valletta squad. The Rainbows have had a very difficult start to the season. They will have to up their game by several notches to give Valletta a stern challenge and bounce back from their 3-1 defeat to Balzan. Balzan vs Sirens (Sunday – Centenary Stadium, 3pm) This should be another interesting duel. Sirens will be looking to get back on track after their 4-1 defeat to Floriana while Balzan are aiming to make inroads in the standings after back-to-back wins. Sirens are fourth place on 13 points while Balzan are in ninth place, three points behind. Adrian Borg and Emanuel Okoye return from suspension for Sirens but they will have to do without Daniel Sant who is suspended after seeing red in the last game. Ħamrun Spartans vs Birkirkara (Sunday – Centenary Stadium, 5.15pm) A match between two sides who are coming from contrasting results.  While Ħamrun Spartans are flying high and buoyed by a 2-1 victory over Hibernians last Monday, Birkirkara are coming from a 3-1 defeat to Gżira United. Karl Micallef is suspended for the Spartans after collecting his fourth yellow card in the team’s last outing. Coach Andrè Paus will surely demand an improved performance from his team with the Stripes, currently 11th, needing to embark on a winning run to climb up the standings. Santa Lucia v Hibernians (Monday – Hibernians Stadium, 7pm) Monday brings the curtain down on Matchday Eight with the clash between newly-promoted Santa Lucia and neighbours Hibernians. Both teams are under pressure to get back to winning ways. After their flying start to the season, Sta Lucia have gone three games without a win while Hibernians have lost two in a row. The Saints will be strengthened by the return from suspension of Brazilian Gabriel Bohrer Metz. Captain Bjorn Kristensen is out with a one-match ban for Hibs but Joseph Mbong returns from suspension.