Champions looking for Springboard against relegation candidates

Valletta need to rediscover their winning touch at relegation candidates Zebbug this weekend or risk losing further their hold on a chance of at least finishing in second place this season.

After winning consecutive promotions to the Premier League, Zebbug were aware of the difficulties which lay ahead in retaining their place in the top flight.  After languishing in bottom place since the start of the season, they manage to register two consecutive victories against direct relegation rivals to move out from bottom place for the first time since August only to lose Naxxar last week to move back in bottom place.

This season may well be Valletta’s most disappointing one since Victor Schriha took over the club with unsettling signs lurking over the club since before the demotion of Gilbert Agius as First team Coach.

A fixture at relegation threatened Zebbug may be the ideal match to get them back on their feet as the Champions have rarely failed to beat teams lurking in the bottom places this season.

Coach Ivan Zammit has his team treading on water, and after a surprising defeat against a solid Balzan team, they secured a hard fought draw against Birkirkara in a morale boosting result.

Zebbug were the busiest team in the January transfer window, with no fewer than six new recruits.  Zebbug have won three games in their last five losing to Valletta and Naxxar however they are still occupying bottom place with Qormi.

Zebbug will be missing Lee Galea through suspension. 

(Saturday, 2pm, Hibernians Stadium)

Sliema Vs Tarxien; 4pm on Saturday at Hibernians Stadium

Sliema face Tarxien Rainbows on Saturday afternoon desperately seeking to start a winning run to consolidate sixth place ahead of Mosta.

Despite securing a 1-1 draw against Birkirkara in their last game, the Wanderers have been faltering of late and have picked up just two wins from their last eight games, conceding five goals in the 5-3 defeat to Balzan.

The Rainbows on the other hand find themselves in ninth place just three points above the drop, and have won just two of their last six matches.

The previous fixtures between the two this season ended in a 1-1 draw with the Wanderers winning 2-0 in the second round fixture with Michael Mifsud scoring one of the goals.

Following their draw against Birkirkara in their last outing, Sliema Coach Stephen Azzopardi may opt to field the same formation against Tarxien and hope to clinch an important win. 

Tarxien on the other hand may change things at the back after conceding four against leaders Hibernians.

(Saturday, 4pm, Hibernians Stadium)