Sickness, injuries and four debuts when FC Scandinavia (FCS) feels the pressure against bottom team Birnapa on Melita Ground Sunday morning.

FCS’ ambition this season is without a doubt to place their hands on the trophy as winners of the Sunday GIDA League. Memories is now top of the league with two victories in two games, while FCS’ opponent on Sunday morning (09:45), Birnapa, is bottom of the league with 0 points in two games (1-7).

The conclusion is obvious: FCS needs to win.

Things went well in the season opener against Young Boys last Sunday (1-0), but many changes is now forced onto the Scandinavian team. It has also been decided to change from 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 formation.

This is the status Saturday evening.

Defense:

All-In Translations Man of the Match against Young Boys, Andreas Lilja, is not feeling very well and has decided not play. Johan Nyberg takes his place in central defense along with the solid Thomas Bangstad. Nyberg will be captain as he makes his first appearance.

Right defender against Young Boys, Markus Klintborg, is suspended for three matches after being sent off last Sunday.

- Completely ridiculous. Anyone with as much as a tiny understanding of football would agree that is terribly wrong. Some referees would give a free kick for that tackle, some would say "play on". A red card and a three match suspension is extremely harsh! says Klintborg, and gets support from agreeing and disappointed team mates.

Sebastian Dedering would normally take Klintborg's place as right defender, but Dedering is not available due to traveling, as is the left defender from last game, Tommy Fällman. PokerLoco’s Joakim Bäckman will take Fällman’s place as left defender, while Claes Hansen plays right defender. Hansen is new to the team, and to the island of Malta, but is a solid player and gets his debut as his strongest competitors are missing. Will he rise to the challenge?

Midfield:        

All eyes will be on newcomer Camilo Braz on the midfield tomorrow. Braz, from Finland, has shown good form on training lately, and gets his debut with a defensive role on the FCS center midfield.

Kalle Wåhlin did a good job when he came on as s a central midfielder against Young Boys last Sunday, and steps up into the starting eleven as left midfielder against Birnapa. Sebastian Delsinger showed some creative skills in his debut, and also assisted the only goal in the season opener, but got a back/rib injury in the Pentasia Champions League against team mate Erik Smith, and will be starting the game as a sub.

Emiliano Sener keeps his position to the right, but is pulled back into a slightly more defensive role as FCS switch to 4-4-2.

Hannes Wåhlin was solid against Young Boys and teams up with newcomer Camilo Braz on central midfield.

Attack:

Last week’s match winner Per Hertz will be happy to see he is moved from the wing and into the central attack along with Lars Johansson. FCS also has solid backups up front with Denmark’s Torben Vedstesen and Erik Smith. Both of them were among the top scorers of last year’s Pentasia Champions League which Smith’s team Casino DK went on to win, after Vedstesen’s Expekt FC was arguably disqualified after beating Betfair 4-1 in the quarter final.

PS 1: Sebastian Delsinger, which is injured, is the only sub which is not a striker.
PS 2: The new match kit will be ready for the next game.

Starting lineup (4-4-2):

Niklas Joelsson

Claes Hansen
Johan Nyberg
Thomas Bangstad
Joakim Bäckman

Emiliano Sener
Hannes Wåhlin
Camilo Braz
Kalle Wåhlin

Per Hertz
Lars Johansson

Subs:

Erik Smith
Torben Vedstesen
Sebastian Delsinger

Full match report and player ratings will follow in the All-In Translations blog on Sunday.