Match Preview: Birkirkara FC vs. Pieta Hotspurs FC
by Ayrton Galea - 25th August 2018
Birkirkara FC will be seeking to build on their winning start in the BOV Premier League and make them two wins in a row, when they will take on newly-promoted side, Pieta Hotspurs FC.
The Stripes opened the new league campaign on a fine note, as a goal by Jake Grech after fifteen minutes was enough for them to defeat title-contenders Balzan FC with a narrow 1-0 score. This victory ensured the Stripes the first three points in a direct match.
On the other hand, Pieta Hotspurs FC were denied from the first point in the first match back in top-flight by a stoppage-time goal, as substitute Taylon Nicolas Correa handed Hibernians FC a late 2-1 victory to leave the Hotspurs empty-handed from the first match.
Coach Paul Zammit should have National Team forward Michael Mifsud available, after the latter missing the last match. On the other hand, Pieta Hotspurs can't count on Jalo Ishaya Irimiya after he was sent off for double booking in the last match.
The match will be played at the Victor Tedesco Stadium and it will kick off at 18:30. Transport from Valley Road will leave at 17:30.
Last Match
The last match between Birkirkara FC and Pieta Hotspurs FC goes back to Thursday, 19 March 2015 in Season 2014-2015. It was the third-round league match, after both teams have won a match each in the previous two encounters.
The Stripes won the first-round fixture with a 2-1 score, thanks to a goal each by Rafael Ledesma and Ellinton Morais. However, Pieta Hotspurs registered a major surprise in the second-round fixture, as they completed a strong comeback to defeat the Stripes with a 4-3 score.
In the third-round match, the Stripes were heading to a narrow 1-0 victory, thanks to a goal by Zach Muscat. However, Leonardo Fortuno made the score level five minutes from time, before Mauricio Mazzetti gave the Stripes a late dramatic win with a goal two minutes from time.
Match Statistics
- Birkirkara FC and Pieta Hotspurs FC have met just four times in the last ten seasons. All four matches, three from the BOV Premier League and one from the FA Trophy, were played in the Season 2014-2015.
- The Stripes won three out of the last four encounters with Pieta Hotspurs FC, scoring ten goals while conceding six. Birkirkara's biggest victory against the Hotspurs was in the FA Trophy with a 3-0 score, while Pieta had emerged as winners with a 4-3 score in second round of the league.
- Birkirkara FC's winning start in the BOV Premier League was their eighth one in the last ten seasons, as they only missed out from the three points in the first match in Season 2009-2010 (3-1 defeat against Valletta FC) and in Season 2017-2018 (1-1 draw against Floriana FC).
- Jake Grech's goal in the 1-0 victory over Balzan FC was the first goal for the BOV Premier League 2018-2019. It was his thirteenth goal with Birkirkara FC, following scoring twelve goals in the last season as he was the team's top scorer.
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