Zebbug hope to heap further misery on Mosta

Both teams head into this match eager to rediscover some good form following consecutive defeats which has left both teams in dire need of points in their fight for salvation.

For Mosta surely their position in the current table has to be considered as a major disappointment following some decent additions to their squad in the summer transfer market and the January transfer window.  The blues had started the season in brilliant fashion beating current Champions Valletta in their opening fixture, but have seen their form slowly disappear game by game which even led to a change  of coaches.

Zebbug take on Mosta after suffering two straight defeats to Hibernians and Naxxar respectively, after having previously beaten Valletta 3-2 in a result which was expected to be the major boost ahead of their relegation struggle.  However having failed to at least gain a point out of their direct encounter against Naxxar last week, he Rangers remain in 11th on 12 points just one point above bottom placed Tarxien.

Both respective coaches must now be concerned with the position their teams find themselves in as both teams have no guarantee about their Premier League status.

Zebbuge can take some solace in the fact that they have registered unexpected victories this season particularly against Valletta and Sliema Wanderers.   On the other hand, nothing more than a victory will do for the Mosta clan with the team failing to win in their last six matches.

What is most worrying for Mosta is that almost all of their foreign players have failed to leave some sort of impact on the team’s results with the exception possibly being forward Babatunde, with their defensive recruits being at blame for a number of goals conceded.

Mosta will be without duo Gary Roberts and Dyson Falzon ruled out for the match through suspension with the club also having their kit manager suspended for two matches.

Zebbug should have a completetly full squad to pick from in the hope that their recent offensive efficiencies continues even against their upcoming opponents.

Mosta defeated Zebbug in the first round 2-0 with both goals coming from the now Balzan striker Bojan Kaljevic; while in the second round both teams shared the points in a 1-1 draw.

(Saturday, 2pm, Victor Tedesco Stadium)

Valletta face Pieta Hotspurs in the second match on Saturday at the Victor Tedesco Stadium with the current champions trying to consolidate their grip on their third place and put further pressure on Birkirkara.  With the title hopes vanishing early on in the season, their only consolidation for this season lies in possibly clinching second place and lifting the FA Trophy for a second consecutive time.

Pieta will be full of confidence heading into this game following their resilient performance against Hibernians last weekend were although going out defeated, they offered a strong opposition to a team which has scored for fun against most teams this season.

Valletta are coming from two consecutive wins over Qormi and Tarxien respectively, and they will be clear favourites to clinch all three points when considering the experience of the Valletta team in contrast to the inexperienced but highly motivated Hotspurs.

Coach Ivan Zammit is expected to keep the same side which defeated Tarxien so easily last weekend with the inform Abdel Nafti looking to add more goals to his personal tally following some very positive performances.

Both teams have no players suspended for this match and should have all players available for selection.

In the first round, Pieta surprisingly registered a 2-1 win over Valletta, with the Citizens making amends in the second round winning 3-1.

(Saturday, 4.15pm, Victor Tedesco Stadium)