Ħamrun Spartans face Birkirkara on Sunday in the YoHealth Malta Premier League, with kick-off scheduled for 2pm at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.
Ħamrun enter the match in strong form after finishing the Opening Round in first place with 34 points, recording 10 wins, four draws and two defeats. In the Closing Round they remain unbeaten so far, collecting 19 points from five wins and four draws. However they are fresh from a disappointment, being eliminated form the Meridianbet FA Trophy by rivals Valletta.
Birkirkara, meanwhile, had a more difficult campaign. They finished the Opening Round in sixth place with 16 points and currently sit eighth in the Closing Round standings with 12 points from three wins, three draws and three losses. In the FA Trophy, the stripes made it to the semi-finals with a 2-1 win on Żabbar, despite playing for more than an hour with 10 men.
This season, Ħamrun have scored 38 league goals, with Joseph Mbong leading the scoring charts with eight goals. Other key contributors include Matías García, N’Dri Koffi and Damir Ceter.
For Birkirkara, the team has scored 25 goals in the league, with Kemar Reid their top scorer on five goals, followed by Asumah Abubakar‑Ankrah and Stephane Makoma with four each.
Recent form also favours Ħamrun, who are currently on a 12-match unbeaten run in the league. In their last five matches they collected 11 points, winning three and drawing two while keeping four clean sheets.
Birkirkara have struggled in comparison, winning just one of their last five league matches and failing to win in their last four games.
Head-to-head statistics also favour Ħamrun. The Spartans won both league meetings between the sides this season, 2-0 and 6-1, and have won four of the last five league encounters between the clubs.
The match will be officiated by referee Ishamael Barbara.
