League leaders Birkirkara and Hibernians aim to keep the momentum during Match Day 4 of the BOV Premier Division, with three matches on Saturday and three on Sunday. Birkirkara will play Floriana while Hibernians face Mosta, who desperately need to gather some points to escape the lower ranks of the table.
Santa Lucia v Sirens – 18.09.2021 (KO 17.00 hrs) – Tony Bezzina StadiumThis middle of the table clash is important for both teams. Santa Lucia have not won yet this season and are looking for a moral boosting win. In their last outing they earned a 2-2 draw against Gudja United thanks to a brace from Alan da Souza, their third consecutive draw. They will be strengthened by the return of the suspended Jan Tanti. Last week, Sirens struggled to deal with one of the title contenders last week, with Hibernians beating them 3-1.Last season: win for Santa Lucia: 3-2Head to head: 31 matches; 12 Santa Lucia wins, 7 draws, 12 Sirens winsValletta v Gzira United – 18.09.2021 (KO19.00 hrs) – National StadiumValletta aim to get back to winning ways after tasting defeat against arch-rivals, Floriana (3-0), who registered their first win of the season. They must forget their poor performance against the Greens and focus on their next encounter as they have another difficult obstacle to overcome tomorrow against Gzira United. The Maroons will do everything in their power to rise to the occasion as they had a very disappointing campaign so far. with two draws and a defeat that left them marooned in the drop zone. Valletta will surely miss the services of goalkeeper Alessandro Guarnone. Had it not been for him, Floriana would have won by a bigger margin. But unfortunately he injured his hamstring and will be out of action for at least two to three weeks. But newcomer Manuel Bartolo will deputise. The Citizens will also be without the suspended Christian Gauci who picked two yellow cards against the Greens. Last season: two wins for Gzira: 3-1 & 2-0Head to head: 34 matches; 19 Valletta wins, 5 draws, 10 Gzira United winsHibernians v Mosta – 18.09.2021 (KO 21.00 hrs) – Tony Bezzina StadiumHigh-flying co-leaders Hibernians, take on Mosta. The Paolites have made a strong start to the season and the blistering form together with the collective force of their forward line, have made them title contenders, picking maximum points from three matches. They face a team who have failed to register a win in any of their opening three matches sitting rock bottom of the table and are under enormous pressure to find their feet and to pull clear of the relegation zone. Hibernians will probably name an unchanged line-up that prevailed against Sirens (3-1). It already dates back from 4 October 2015 that Mosta beat Hibernians (4-1 in Premier Div)Last season: two Hibernians wins (3-2 & 2-0)Head to head: 39 matches; 28 Hibernians wins, 5 draws, 6 Mosta wins.Birkirkara v Floriana – 19.09.2021 (KO 17.00 hrs) – National StadiumAfter hitting the ground running this season with three victories over Mosta, Hamrun Spartans and Balzan, Birkirkara will be hoping to maintain their 100% record when they meet Floriana. On the other hand, after two successive draws the Greens are coming from an emphatic 3-0 win against arch rivals Valletta and obviously their confidence is sky high ahead of this clash. Considering they are the youngest side in the top division with an average age of 23.96, Floriana’s coach, Gianluca Atzori, will be pleased his side came through a tough encounter. However, the Greens are now in the midst of a much tougher run of fixtures, facing Birkirkara, Hamrun Spartans and Balzan respectively. Birkirkara welcome back Claudio Bonanni from suspension while Atzori is expected tho stick to the team who beat Valletta.Last season: Birkirkara beat Floriana twice: 5-2 & 2-0Head to head: 153 matches; 54 Birkirkara wins, 36 draws, 63 Floriana wins.Sliema Wanderers v Gudja United – 19.09.2021 (KO 19.00 hrs) – Tony Bezzina StadiumThis will be a bottom of the table clash as both sides are ranked in the relegation zone. The Wanderers are struggling to get going this season and have accumulated just two points from three matches. With just one goal scored, they seem to be lacking belief and confidence in front of goal. Gudja are developing slowly into Sliema's boogie team, as the Blues have so far never recorded a win in their four official encounters against Gudja. And while for Sliema each game has been a disappointment so far, Gudja United impressed in their last outing against Sta Lucia (2-2), enjoying most of the possession and the territory which earned them their first point of the season. Justin Grioli might return for Gudja United. Last season: 2-1 win Gudja United (1st round), 1-1Head to head: 4 matches; 2 Gudja wins and 2 drawsHamrun Spartans v Balzan – 19.09.2021 (KO 21.00 hrs) – National StadiumChampions Hamrun Spartans face a difficult task when they take on Balzan. The Spartans eased the pressure on themselves after they earned their first League victory of the season by sinking Mosta 2-1. The Spartans were inspired by a formidable display from Luke Gambin who marked his debut with a remarkable goal. Without any doubt, the Malta international midfielder will be a massive asset for the Spartans and will improve the team significantly to rediscover last season’s consistent streak. Balzan, who are an industrious, organized and aggressive team, aim to return to winning ways after stumbling against Birkirkara (2-1). Another defeat will undermine their objectives to finish in the top four and could slip into the relegation battle. However, a victory will give them a massive boost and new hope. Last season: 2-2 (1st round) and a 3-2 Hamrun win.Head to head: 22 matches; 4 Hamrun Spartans wins, 9 draws & 9 Balzan wins