Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/433160
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 14 DECEMBER 2014 55 Sport FOOTBALL Valletta seek to inflict first defeat on Hibernians in big Weekend Clash ONE of the biggest fixtures of the season takes place this afternoon at the National Stadium as the top two teams in the league face off with both teams looking unstop- pable at the moment coming from very convincing results. After comfortably beating eter- nal rivals Floriana 4-1 last week, the champions will attempt to close the gap on unbeaten leaders Hibernians. Branko Nisevic's men currently sit on 40 points from 14 matches winning 13 in the process and enjoying a 12 point lead over their nearest rivals. Fourteen games into the season and the Paolites are still yet to taste defeat. However, for today's clash they come up against an in-form Valletta side which scored ten goals in their last two matches. With several of Valletta's big name play- ers rediscovering their form of late among those being foreign players Lateef Elford-Alliyu and Hamza Barry, Valletta certainly possess the firepower to end Hibernians' dominant run. For Hibernians' part, possession will be crucial in containing their opponents' attack, while at the same time relying on the individ- ual brilliance of Clayton Failla and top scorer Tarabai to threaten an often vulnerable Valletta defence. The two have scored a combined 24 goals between them already this season, showing no signs of easing off. While both sides will aim to re- main strong defensively, the norm in such games is winning the mid- field battles which often prove to be the decisive factor in winning and losing matches. Both teams possess technical players with the ability to create and score goals. Young midfielder Bjorn Kristensen has the ability to dictate play with his long range passing. Alongside him in the middle of the park will most likely be Rodolfo Suarez and Clayton Failla containing the per- fect mix to win the battle in mid- field. For Valletta to get a result they will have to remain very compact defensively. Their defence, though having only conceded eight goals, has often looked vulnerable when seriously threatened. The two full backs may prove to be a threat with their constant runs forward and if effective, can cause the Hibernians defence problems. In midfield the Whites will look for in form players Roderick Briffa and Ryan Fenech to dictate play and alongside them the attacking threat of Hamza Barry. Both teams will be at full strength for the encounter. Hibernians vs Valletta (Today at 4pm, National Stadium,) Qormi and Sliema in search for win to make up for disappointing form THE first match today pits two teams coming from a very dismal form; with Sliema winless in their last four outings and Qormi gaining just two points in their last three matches. It is hard to make some- thing out of this encounter as both teams have endured a somewhat indifferent time this term. After a summer of high expectations with persistent rumours of rich invest- ment within the club, the Wander- ers seem to struggle in every match this season failing to produce good football all round. Coach Stephen Azzopardi is still looking for his first win since his return at the club. The Wanderers have been inconsistent to say the least so far this season with an attack which at times struggled for goals, and lacking in real strength in back line which will be tested by the pace of Qormi strikers Frank Temille and Alfred Effiong. With both sides being so incon- sistent this season, it is hard to pre- dict anything in this match however both teams will be hoping to bounce back from a very disappointing pe- riod in the hope to collect enough points before reduction of points at the end of the second round. Qormi currently sit in sixth place on seven- teen points while the Blues dropped to eight on sixteen points with just four wins to their name. Qormi will be without important trio Zoran Levnajic, Bjorn Bon- din and Mauricio Latini Mazzetti all ruled out through suspension. Stephen Azzopardi will be without the Italian Fabio Mangiacasale and talisman Michael Mifsud who is out with a long layoff. Qormi Vs Sliema (Today at 2pm, National Stadium) Maltese official Esther Azzopardi handed refereeing role in San Marino… Officials from Georgia for Valletta vs Hibernians THE Malta FA Refereeing depart- ment has recently announced the appointment of FIFA referee Esther Azzopardi, FIFA Assist- ant referee Mitchell Scerri and Elite Assistant Referee Thomas Debono for a top division match in San Marino between Tre Fiori and Libertas. The match will take place today at Campo Montecchio. The match kicks off at 15.00. Meanwhile, the top of the table clash of the BOV Premier League between Valletta and Hibernians at the National stadium is being officiated by match officials from Georgia, namely FIFA referee La- sha Silagava, FIFA Assistant ref- eree Zaza Menteshashvili, and FIFA Assistant referee Zaza Pipia. Milan and Napoli clash as both teams seek to regain lost momentum Milan - Napoli (Today, 20:45 , San Siro) Milan face Napoli at the San Siro with both teams looking to recov- er from disappointing results last weekend, the former losing 1-0 at Genoa while Rafa Benitez's team leaving it late to grab a 2-2 draw with Empoli. Milan have won just once in their last five outings re- sulting in slipping further away from the top five in the table. The Rossoneri will hope for a solid defensive performance against a Napoli side that can cause serious problems with their strong offen- sive line. Napoli are in fifth place, surpris- ingly being surpassed by surprise packages Sampdoria and Genoa respectively. Their early elimina- tion from the Champions League in the third round of the compe- tition certainly did not help in boosting their morale and confi- dence on the pitch. Inzaghi will again have to do without defenders Ignazio Abate, De Scilgio and Alex who are still not back in shape after suffering injuries. Daniele Bonera's form has been mediocre to say the least, facing the prospect of being over- run by the quick Napoli attackers. It remains to be seen whether In- zaghi will deploy Spaniard Fern- ando Torres who has been noth- ing but disappointing in his spell at Milan so far. Both teams will be hoping for a positive result going into the winter break in order to maintain a positive mentality ahead of the New Year's calendar fixtures. Mi- lan and Napoli are essentially two teams fighting for the last spot in the Champions League and a win would be golden for either. Parma - Cagliari (Today, 15:00, Stadio Ennio Tardini) Parma will have to put their off field problems aside when they host fellow strugglers Cagliari this afternoon. After their brilliant campaign last season, Donadoni's men have endured a torrid start to the season, winning just two out of their 14 matches so far. Cagliari are on a poor patch themselves sitting 18th in the ta- ble with their last victory coming on October 25 against Empoli. Cesena - Fiorentina (Today, 15.00, Stadio Manuzzi- Orogel) Cesena are the other team cur- rently in the bottom three, their solitary victory coming against bottom club Parma. Cesena host a confident Fiorentina side com- ing from positive results both do- mestically and in Europe. Juventus - Sampdoria (Today, 15:00, Turin) Juventus return to domestic ac- tion at home to Sampdoria after securing a place in the last 16 in the Champions League after a 0-0 draw against Spanish champions Atletico Madrid. Juventus will be without defender Giorgio Chiel- lini who is out through suspension with Ogbonna expected to take his place at the back. Sampdoria will be without several key players and coach Sinisa Mihailovic must try to make his formation right if he wants to get anything out of his match. Genoa - Roma (Today, 15:00, Stadio Luigi Ferraris) After being knocked out in the group stages of the Champions League, Roma are back in ac- tion against a solid Genoa side currently occupying third spot. Roma will look to forget their Eu- ropean woes and maintain their momentum in the league and stay close to leaders Juventus. Roma will have all players available for this match whilst Genoa will be without Mandragora with Kucka expected to be fit for the crucial encounter. Udinese - Verona (Today, 15:00, Stadio Friuli) Udinese will be at full strength for this match with the only miss- ing player for Stramaccioni's men is Muriel who is still out through injury, however his return is ex- pected soon before the winter break. Verona will welcome back Hallfredsson who will be return- ing after suspension. Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi is expecting a better performance from his team