Week one of 2005 has brought only heartache for Sliema Wanderers.

On Wednesday, they were on the receiving end of arguably the biggest shock of the season, going down 1-0 to Lija Athletic.

The day after, the champions conceded another defeat, this time in the transfer market when striker Etienne Barbara chose to sign for bitter rivals Birkirkara after he had originally agreed to join the Wanderers.

The wheeling and dealing in the opening days of the January transfer window has gripped the football agenda but the focus of the clubs must return to on-pitch matters what with four top-flight matches scheduled for this weekend.

Sliema, without a victory in their last three matches, need to regroup quickly as they encounter Marsaxlokk in today's curtain raiser at the National Stadium (2 p.m.).

Edward Aquilina's options at Sliema are stretched by injuries and suspensions.

Stefan Giglio, Claude Mattocks and Miguel Mifsud are still recouping their fitness after all had cartilage surgery and Joseph Farrugia joined the injury list with a hamstring problem. Jeffrey Chetcuti returns from suspension to fill the void left by Darren Debono who has been banned for one game following his red card in the defeat to Lija.

"We just cannot afford to drop points in this game," Aquilina, the Sliema coach, said.

"Last Wednesday, we hit rock-bottom with that defeat to Lija. It was one of those matches when we paid a very high price for our failure to translate our possession into goals."

Aquilina conceded that Barbara's transfer saga has given today's tie an extra edge.

"All was set for Barbara to join Sliema but suddenly the scenario changed. I hope this episode serves to intensify our players' motivation for this match."

Atanas Marinov, coach of Marsaxlokk, sought to play down suggestions that the events surrounding Barbara's transfer to Birkirkara could in some way have an effect on today's game.

"I have to say that I never doubted Barbara's talent but the player expressed his wish to move and we didn't stand in his way.

"Birkirkara managed to secure his services and it was the player's decision to join them," Marinov said.

His morale enhanced by Marsaxlokk's solid performance in the 3-0 dismissal of Pietà, Marinov is eyeing another victory.

"This is another important test for us," he said. "Our win over Pietà has given us fresh hope but we haven't reached our target. We will set out to collect three points from this game."

Marinov can count on Jamie Pace after the latter skipped the 3-0 success over Pietà because of suspension. Pace could come straight into the first team if Bulgarian striker Stanimir Georgiev fails to shake off a slight hamstring problem.

Georgiev had a quiet debut for Marsaxlokk but his fellow countryman, midfielder Mitko Trendafilov, was the team's main figure in midfield on Wednesday.

"I was very satisfied with Mitko's performance. He brings strength and confidence to our midfield," Marinov remarked.

First round result - Sliema vs Marsaxlokk 3-1.

The other matches...

Floriana vs Birkirkara (today at 4 p.m., National Stadium).

The spotlight will fall on the new signings when Floriana and Birkirkara run into each other this afternoon.

Etienne Barbara and Mauro Brincat are expected to make their first appearances for Birkirkara and Floriana respectively after their transfer documents were deposited at the MFA.

Antoine Saliba, signed on loan from Division One club San Gwann, is also likely to be included in Birkirkara's 18-man squad.

Birkirkara will be hoping that Barbara's arrival sparks a revival after their title hopes were jolted with defeats to Hibs and Pietà.

Stephen Azzopardi, the Birkirkara coach, can rely on better resources for this match as George Mallia and Mark Anthony Bonnici return from suspension and defender Lucian Dronca has recovered from 'flu.

Azzopardi still has doubts over the fitness of Haruna Doda, Chucks Nwoko and Adrian Ciantar while Antoine Zahra, Roderick Briffa and Bernard Paris are still sidelined with injuries.

Today, Floriana's team will not be entirely made up of Maltese players as Brazilian midfielder Andre Rocha Da Silva is back in the frame after a long-term injury.

Willie Vassallo, the Greens coach, is still plagued by the absence of Riad-Mynel Gango-Rtsa and Nicolò Baldacchino is rated doubtful.

Goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri has been given licence to seek pastures new.

First round result - Birkirkara vs Floriana 3-0.

Lija vs Msida St Joseph (tomorrow at 1 p.m., Hibs Ground).

Msida have a tricky fixture against a Lija team boosted by their last-gap success over Sliema. A victory is a must for the Saints if they are to end a poor run of results that has seriously jeopardised their top six chances.

Mario Petrone, Msida's Italian coach, will be delighted to have sturdy midfielder Roderick Bajada back in the frame.

Johann Zammit and Daniel Nwoke are still not 100 per cent fit and Kevin Sammut has not fully recovered from a long-term injury. Skipper Dino Cachia is suspended for one match.

Captain Giles Lanzon and Kurt Zammit are back in contention for a first-team place at Lija but midfielder Gordon Camenzuli is suspended.

First round result - Msida vs Lija 2-1.

Pietà vs Hibernians (tomorrow at 3 p.m., Hibs Ground).

Third in the standings thanks to their 2-0 defeat of Msida, Hibs' brief tomorrow is to keep hold of their lofty position. Their opponents are Pietà who crashed to their first defeat in four matches on Wednesday, losing to Marsaxlokk.

Robert Gatt, the Hibs coach, is not expected to make changes from the team that broke little sweat in seeing off Msida. Andrè Schembri is still out of the picture as negotiations over a new contract have yet to lead to an agreement.

After their lacklustre performance against Marsaxlokk, Pietà fans will be hoping for a better showing tomorrow.

Cleaven Frendo is in line for a return after recovering from an ankle problem but injured Karl Sammut is still out of the squad.

First round result - Hibs vs Pietà 2-1.