Stripes to take on Citizens in crunch fixture

by Ayrton Galea - 21st January 2017

Birkirkara FC and Valletta FC, two teams who are eyeing a top-four spot in the BOV Premier League, will be crossing swords in a crunch fixture this afternoon that could be crucial in the two sides' fortunes this season.

There were no particular changes in the top spots of league standings following last week's results. Despite two direct clashes, a draw between Birkirkara and Balzan, and another share of spoils between Hibernians and Floriana, only saw the Citizens leveling points with the Greens in the third position.

The Stripes will be heading to this match in a fine form as back-to-back victories against Mosta and Pembroke Athleta seemed to have put them back on track. In the last match, they had to battle it out from a goal down and a goal sixteen minutes from time by Mislav Andelkovic kept the Stripes in the tight title run.

On the other hand, Valletta are coming from a week of mixed fortune. A narrow hard-fought victory against Gzira United put them back in the fray for the title run. However, they received a major blow last Wednesday when a goal one minute on added them saw being eliminated from the FA Trophy by the league leaders Balzan.

Balzan are leading the table with thirty-eighth points, one over Hibernians. Floriana and Valletta are sharing the third place with thirty-three points each, one point over Birkirkara. From their end, the Stripes have now opened a seven-point lead over sixth-placed Sliema Wanderers.

Coach Nikola Jaros can bank on a full-squad as all players are at his disposal. On the other hand, to add more to their woes, Rowen Muscat will be unavailable for the Citizens following their FA Trophy exit as the midfielder was sent off for a double booking.

In the first-round match, two goals in the second half, one on each side saw the Stripes and the Citizens sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Cain Attard had put The Stripes in the lead five minutes into the second hand butit was cancelled by Jhonnattann Benites sixteen minutes later.

The match will be played at the National Stadium and it will kick off at 16:00.

We would like to encourage all the Birkirkara supporters to come to the stadium and support the team.

Come on the Stripes!

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