Balzan and Floriana battle for fourth place

Balzan have performed beyond their expectations so far this season and a series of positive results have led them to fourth in the table, losing only four times in their seventeen matches played.

The match is a must win for both teams in their pursuit for a top four finish.  A win for Balzan will see them go four points above Floriana, while a victory for the greens will mean Floriana move above Balzan in fourth place.

Both teams are coming from very convincing results and while they will surely be wishing for a different opposition on Sunday, both set of teams will be geared up for an expected entertaining encounter.

Floriana appear to have gotten over their rocky start to the season and are now on a three match unbeaten run, with their last defeat coming early in December against rivals Valletta.  Floriana have been very efficient in their recent outings particularly in attack, thrashing both Zebbug and Naxxar by an identical 4-1 scoreline.

Balzan come into this game off a 5-0 thrashing of Tarxien, after previously seeing off Mosta 1-0.  Balzan’s vastly improved form this season is a reflection of a positive summer transfer campaign, and a win over Floriana will be a strong confirmation that their current position in the table is no fluke.

It is unlikely however that Balzan will get something out of this match, with my prediction favouring the greens for a 2-1 win.

Both teams have no suspended players for the match.

Balzan Vs Floriana (Sunday January 11, 2015 - 2pm, National Stadium, Ta Qali)

Naxxar Vs Hibernians (4pm, National Stadium, Ta Qali)     

Depleted Lions face League crushers Hibernians

Naxxar find themselves in the middle of a negative run having lost three of their last four matches and Coach Jesmond Zerafa will surely not be very enthusiastic about the prospect of facing league run away leaders Hibernians.

Zerafa has so far failed to turn Naxxar’s fortunes around, even prompting him to release all foreign players signed during the summer with the exception of star player Gilmar.

The undefeated Paolites already look like champions in waiting with their sixteenth win last weekend, having seeing them drop just two points all along this season against struggling neighbours Tarxien.

With Andrew Cohen and Clayton Failla maintaining their high level, Sunday could very well prove to be a difficult day for the Lions.  To make matters worse, Naxxar have been severely hit but suspensions and will be lacking Albert Bruce, Daren Falzon and keeper Julian Azzopardi for their tough match on Sunday.

Despite falling behind against Zebbug last weekend, don’t expect that to count for much as the quality Hibernians possess should be enough to see the come out as comfortable winners.

Prediction: 0-3