Birkirkara and Hibernians meet at the National Stadium on Saturday evening in a match which could prove important in the early battle for a place in the Top Six, with both sides looking to respond after disappointing results.
The Stripes enter Matchday Five on six points from four matches, having won their opening two games against Gżira United and Ħamrun Spartans before suffering back-to-back defeats against Mosta and Sliema. Their latest setback was a 2-1 defeat to Sliema, leaving Paul Zammit’s side joint-sixth.
Hibernians have endured an even more difficult start. The Paolites have collected four points, with one win, one draw and two defeats. Their only victory came against Sliema on Matchday One, while their 2-0 defeat against Valletta last time out again exposed defensive vulnerabilities.
The numbers underline the contrasting problems. Hibernians have scored only three goals in four matches and are now without a win or a clean sheet in their last three. Birkirkara have scored six, but have lost their last two and also failed to keep a clean sheet in either match.
Birkirkara will, however, be without goalkeeper Rashed Al-Tumi through suspension, while Hibernians have no suspended players.
With both teams already dropping valuable points, Saturday’s encounter offers an opportunity to change momentum. For Birkirkara, victory would strengthen their position in the Top Six race; for Hibernians, three points would bring them level with the Stripes and provide a much-needed response.
