Sliema Wanderers and Birkirkara will face each other on Sunday 23 November at 18:15 in the YoHealth Malta Premier League. The fixture comes at an important stage of the season, with both teams aiming to maintain pressure on the sides positioned above them.
Sliema enter the match with 19 points from their opening fixtures. Their recent sequence includes one draw in their last match against Floriana. Across the season they have recorded five wins, four draws and three losses. Their victories came against Hibernians, Ħamrun, Gżira, Tarxien and Żabbar. Their draws were against Floriana, Marsaxlokk, Valletta and Birkirkara. Their defeats were against Naxxar and Mosta. Sliema have scored 16 goals and conceded 14 goals, giving them a current goal difference of plus two.
Birkirkara arrive with 16 points and are coming from a defeat to Ħamrun. Their campaign includes four wins, five draws and three losses. Their wins were against Tarxien, Żabbar, Naxxar and Mosta. Their draws were recorded against Marsaxlokk, Sliema, Gzira and Valletta. Their losses came against Floriana, Hibernians and Ħamrun. Birkirkara have scored 11 goals and conceded 8 goals, which gives them a goal difference of plus three and places them among the strongest defensive sides in the league.
The league table remains closely contested. Ħamrun and Valletta are both on 22 points and will play today, which could influence the standings before Sliema and Birkirkara meet on Sunday. The outcome of the match may therefore have a direct impact on the positioning of both clubs within the leading group.
Sliema will be without Miguel Baggio who is suspended after receiving four yellow cards. Murilo Henrique will miss the match against Valletta on 14 December if he collects another caution, as he is currently on three yellow cards.
Birkirkara also approach the fixture with several players on the disciplinary list. Shaun Dimech, Donovan Makoma and Macula all stand on three yellow cards.
Sunday’s match provides Sliema with an opportunity to strengthen their position, while Birkirkara will look to reduce the gap and continue their pursuit of the top places. Both teams have shown competitive performances this season and the meeting is expected to be an important event in the ongoing YoHealth Malta Premier League campaign.
