Birkirkara and Floriana cross swords
by Ayrton Galea - 14th March 2015
Three victories in the third round has filled Birkirkara FC with confidence, and on Sunday afternoon they will be seeking to make them four from four. However their task promises to be anything but plain-sailing as they take on top-four ambitious, Floriana FC.
Buoyed by an thirteen-match unbeaten run, the Stripes are with enjoying a high morale. Their eighth-point gap with Hibernians has not, been narrowed as the latter also registered maximum points in their last three outings but with twenty-four points still at stake, mathematically all is there to be won and last.
The Stripes finished their second-round commitments with three frustrating 1-1 draws as they conceded the equaliser in the dying minutes. However, they started brilliantly their third round. Following a narrow 1-0 victory over Naxxar Lions, they went on by beating Mosta 3-0, and Sliema Wanderers with a 4-2 score in their last match.
Floriana are also showing their potential in the third-round. They are unbeaten in the last six matches and they have also started the third-round in full throttle by winning three out of three. In their last outing they edged-out Balzan and emerged as winners in the direct four-place clash with a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Two of this Sunday's matches can prove detrimental in the Premier League. While Birkirkara will take on Floriana, Hibernians will have no easier task when they take on Tarxien Rainbows. Birkirkara are second, laying eighth points under Hibernians and nine over fourth-placed Floriana. On the other hand, the Rainbows need nothing less than the three points to move safer waters as they are in the last place with eleven points.
The Stripes will be without midfielder Paul Fenech and goalkeeper Ini Akpan, both suspended. Fenech collected his fourth yellow card in the last match against Sliema while Akpan was suspended following arguments after the final whistle of the same match.
The first two round matches both ended with a 2-1 score, with Floriana emerging as winners in the first round, while Birkirkara got their revenge in the second round.
The match will be played at the National Stadium and is scheduled to kick off at 14:00.
Come on the Stripes!
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