After a two week international break, with matches for national team and all our UEFA bound age categories, the BOV Premier Division returns this upcoming weekend with six pulsating matches. Hibernians will meet Sliema Wanderers in a classic match on Sunday, while tomorrow, Hamrun Spartans face Gzira United in what will be another stern test for the current Maltese champions. Valletta, against surprise pack Sirens, Birkirkara and Floriana will all aim to return to winning ways.
Balzan v Floriana – 16.10.2021 (15.00 hrs) – Tony Bezzina StadiumThis is an encounter between two teams who suffered an identical 2-1 defeat in their last outing before the two-week international break. After they prevailed against Hamrun Spartans (1-0), Balzan were exposed against Mosta after they had taken an early lead. They lacked their direct approach and intensity which was shown against the Spartans.Floriana’s start to the season could be a false dawn. After defeating their arch-rivals Valletta, the Greens gave the impression that they could be in contention for the first six places, but the Greens only earned one point from their last two matches. They must improve considerably especially their defensive weaknesses. This is an opportunity for both teams to show greater ambition. Last season, both matches ended in a goalless draw, while Balzan’s last win over Floriana already dates back from nearly three years ago: 2-0 (22.10.2018) Hamrun Spartans v Gzira United – 16.10.2021 (17.00 hrs) – National StadiumHamrun Spartans lock horns with Gzira United who both sit in the middle of the table.The Spartans aim to build on their 2-1 victory over Floriana to keep pace with leaders Hibernians and their title credentials alive. But in reality, up till now the reigning champions have shown to be far from complete. Whilst results were disappointing, it was the performances that raised the eyebrows particularly in attack for a lack of end product.This is a tough test for Gzira United and they know they have to be on their best form to shackle the opponents and nullify the threat of Dodo Soares and Franklin Sasere. On the other hand, they need to bounce back after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Birkirkara. The international break was a chance for the Maroons to re-group and to accelerate their slow start to the seasonGoalkeeper Henry Bonello will be absent for the Spartans after he sustained an injury against Cyprus. On the other hand, the Maroons will have to do without defender Steve Borg who also suffered an injury during the same match. Both players face lengthy lay-offs. Looking at the history of this match, there is no encounter between Premier Division clubs so balanced as this one. The match has been played 41 times in history, with Hamrun winning 14, 13 draws and Gzira also winning 14. Birkirkara v Gudja United – 16.10.2021 (19.00 hrs) – Tony Bezzina StadiumBirkirkara face off with Gudja United who have been a revelation. In their last outing they stunned Valletta (2-0) to move up to fourth place and also kept a clean sheet for the first time this season. Their attitude is brave and aggressive and most of all they show collectiveness. Birkirkara are coming from back-to-back draws against Floriana and Gzira United respectively and cannot lose ground on leaders Hibernians. Argentinian forward, Federico Falcone, will be a marked man as he is probably in his best form at the moment … netting in every match from the beginning of the season and thus remains Birkirkara’s most dangerous attacking weapon. Yannick Yankam remains doubtful for the Stripes. Last season, Birkirkara beat Gudja 3-0 with goals by Falcone, Kurt Zammit and Luke Montebello. However, the season before, Gudja surprised the Stripes beating them with the odd goal in five. Back then, Falcone scored a brace for Birkirkara but Rundell Winchester and a brace by Gabriel Mensah gave the Blues a precious victory. Sliema Wanderers v Hibernians – 17.10.2021 (15.00 hrs) – National StadiumLeaders Hibernians meet bottom side Sliema Wanderers, who endured a sluggish start to this season, earning just three points out of a possible 15, still looking for their first win. These first signs might suggests that one of Malta’s most established clubs could be set for a relegation battle, although in their last outing against Sirens (2-2) they showed some signs of recovery with a passioned performance.But without any doubt, the Blues are under intensifying pressure as they face the leaders who, in their last match, they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Sta Lucia, dropping their first points of the season. Therefore, they seek for winning ways to keep their advantage at the summit of the table. The Paolites will have to do without the suspended Raphael dos Anjos after collecting a total of four yellow cards. Looking at the history, this match is the second most match played on the island, 265 meetings in all competitons, behind the old firm Sliema Wanderer v Floriana who has been played 283 times in history. Last season, Sliema won the 1st round match 3-1, with Hibernians taking revenge in the 2nd round encounter; 1-0 Valletta v Sirens – 17.10.2021 (17.00 hrs) – Tony Bezzina StadiumValletta, after winning their two opening games of the season, face a difficult test when they will face Sirens on Sunday, hoping to turn their season around after their inconsistent start continued with a 2-0 defeat against Gudja United. Apart from that, they were reduced to nine players after Joseph Zerafa and Ryan Camilleri were sent off for two bookable offences. Therefore, they will serve a one-match suspension, meaning they will miss the match against Sirens. However, this match could be the perfect opportunity for Valletta to gain some momentum and turn things around. A defeat continues to complicate things for the Lilywhites. On the other hand, Sirens also want to return to winning ways after being denied three points in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Sliema Wanderers in which the latter equalised one minute from time. This is a difficult encounter and should Sirens emerge victorious, they will be handed a significant boost for a top six spot. Valletta never lost against Sirens in the short history of this match; 4 games, two Valletta wins and two draws. Last season, the 1st round match ended in a 1-1 draw, while Valletta won the 2nd round match 1-0. Santa Lucia v Mosta – 17.10.2021 (19.00 hrs) – National StadiumThis is an encounter between two teams ranked in the relegation zone with four points each. It has been a disappointing start for both teams. While Sta Lucia are still looking for their first win, Mosta have registered their first victory after defeating Balzan 2-1.Both their performances have been mixed and this is an opportunity to reflect and recover in order to avoid the drop. Andre Rodrigues and Gianmarco Conti could return for Sta Lucia while Christ Ememe could feature for Mosta who was absent in the last match. Since Sta Lucia won promotion to the Premier Division in 2019, Mosta have won all their four Premier Division encounters against them, apart from last season’s 2nd Round FA Trophy win. In fact, from the nine matches played between them, Santa Lucia only managed to beat Mosta once in history, which was a 1st Division match played on 28 January 1996 (2-1), more than 25 years ago.