Top-six aspirants eye maximum return

Hibs vs Pietà Hotspurs (today at 2 p.m., National Stadium).
Anything less than a victory will only serve to fuel talk of crisis at Hibs after their defensive wobbles in the 3-2 loss to Birkirkara before Christmas.

Their task doesn't look too much complicated as the Paolites must contend with an out-of-sorts Pietà Hotspurs whose goalless draw against St George's last Saturday gave them only their third point in 13 matches.

Robert Gatt, the Hibs coach, will surely demand better concentration from his defensive personnel after the glaring errors which proved costly against Birkirkara.

Hibs welcome back Nigerian forward Udo Nwoko who has served his two-match suspension but Kenneth Spiteri and Thomas Caruana are sidelined with injuries.

Carmel Busuttil, the Pietà coach, has no option but to make further changes to his young and depleted team. Promising midfielder Domenic Mifsud is ruled out by suspension and Ryan Camilleri, who served his one-match ban against St George's, is injured.

There are also question marks about Digger Okonkwo's future as speculation is rife that Pietà have decided to part company with the Nigerian-born defender.

Pietà are expected to give a trial to two Bulgarian players in the next few weeks.

First round result - Hibs vs Pietà 2-1.

Marsa vs Floriana (tomorrow at 1 p.m., Hibs Ground).
Floriana will be looking to stop the rot after conceding three defeats on the trot to Valletta, Sliema and Marsaxlokk.

Tomorrow, they take on a Marsa team desperately needing to add to their meagre three-point tally to improve their salvation hopes.

The Greens' negative stretch of late has diminished their chances of making the Championship Pool but mathematics show they can still force their way back into the reckoning.

A victory today would move them to within two points of sixth-placed Birkirkara who have played a game more than Floriana.

Joe Grech, the Floriana coach, cannot field his strongest team today as Congolese defender Riad-Mynel Gango-Rtsa suffered a shoulder injury during the 1-0 defeat to Marsaxlokk.

Julian Briffa is out of contention for a first-team place after receiving a one-match ban.

Brazilian striker Wendell Gomes could earn a recall to the squad as he is close to completing his recovery from a hamstring problem.

Floriana are expected to look for a new foreign player to replace Brazilian midfielder Sullivan da Silva.

Inactive last weekend, Marsa have no selection problems for this match.

First round result - Floriana vs Marsa 4-1.

St George's vs Valletta (tomorrow at 3 p.m., Hibs Ground).
With St George's widely considered to be the most organised outfit among the three relegation strugglers, Valletta know that a complacent approach could prove costly against Marco Gerada's men.

Paul Zammit, the Valletta coach, is expected to recall Massimo Grima and Ian Zammit to his starting line-up after suspension kept them out of the 1-1 draw with Msida.

Goalkeeper Saviour Darmanin suffered a broken nose and a small cut on his face in the action that led to his early substitution against Msida. However, the former Pietà netminder has received the go-ahead to resume playing and will guard Valletta's goal tomorrow.

Valletta's only injury doubt is Renie Forace. The left-back is struggling with an ankle problem sustained in the dying moments of last week's 1-1 draw with Msida.

St George's missed a chance to extend their lead over Marsa and Pietà Hotspurs after their match with the latter finished goalless.

Gerada, the St George's coach, is unable to select his best team as a host of established players are out with injuries.

Brazilian striker Edoardo Do Nascimento suffered a recurrence of a calf injury in his substitute appearance against Pietà. Lee Grima, Kurt Formosa and Anthony Bonello are also sidelined with injuries.

First round result - Valletta vs St George's 4-1.