City, Hibs set for tight fight

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

Floriana have taken the new season by storm after recording impressive victories over title hopefuls Valletta and Hibernians. This afternoon, the Greens are favourites to stretch their winning run to three matches when they face newly-promoted Mqabba.

Danilo Doncic's men have certainly caught the eye with their excellent tactical organisation and deadly forward line. With their morale sky-high, the Floriana coach has been urging his players to maintain their focus ahead of today's match against Mqabba.

The Greens will be without inspirational defender Darko Krsteski as the Serbian is recovering from a muscle strain. Mark Gauci picked up a knock in training and is also out of the picture for today's match.

Mqabba, without a point after two matches, will also field two foreign players as Brazilian striker Marcelo Pereira has been given a one-match ban following his dismissal in his team's 1-0 defeat to Birkirkara.

Pietà Hotspurs vs Msida SJ (tomorrow at 4 p.m., National Stadium).

Pietà Hotspurs and Msida St Joseph have had little cause to be cheerful in this early phase of the season after both lost their opening two games.

The Hotspurs struggled to hold their own against Marsaxlokk and Valletta. Coach Carmel Busuttil knows his team must lift their game by a few notches if they are to open their account in the league.

Busuttil almost has a full squad at his disposal with defender Pierre Aquilina the only absentee after receiving a one-match ban for his red card against Valletta.

Msida didn't play well in their opening matches against Sliema and Marsaxlokk with their new players struggling to make the desired impact on the team.

Coach Patrick Curmi, who has no selection problems, expects a solid showing from his players in their first clash against a Pietà team who are, more or less, considered to be of the same level as Msida.

Marsaxlokk vs Hamrun Spartans (tomorrow at 6 p.m., National Stadium).

Champions Marsaxlokk will be looking to extend their perfect start when they entertain newly-promoted Hamrun Spartans.

Marsaxlokk coach Brian Talbot is aware that the Spartans can make life difficult for his side as they did to Sliema despite losing 3-0.

Talbot is still without Carlo Mamo who has yet to recover from a groin injury while Gareth Sciberras is close to returning from a hamstring problem. Brazilian midfielder Andre Rocha Da Silva is unavailable due to a toe injury.

Hamrun Spartans coach Marco Gerada suffered a blow this week when veteran goalkeeper Sean Sullivan broke his arm during training on Thursday. He is expected to be out for up to eight weeks.

Valletta vs Hibs (Monday at 7 p.m., National Stadium).

Valletta and Hibs are expected to storm into one another on Monday as they seek to make up for a disappointing start to the season.

The Citizens collected their first three points of the season with a 3-1 defeat of Pietà but the Whites have yet to dispel the gloom of their opening-day loss to rivals Floriana.

For their part, Hibs delighted their fans by winning the Euro Challenge Cup and the Super Cup but they have struggled to replicate their early-season form in their first two league matches which saw them draw 1-1 with Birkirkara and lose 1-0 to Floriana.

Paul Zammit, the Valletta coach, is wary of Hibs' challenge but he's more concerned about the fevered expectations surrounding his team this season.

"With several new players in our squad, it's only understandable that these need time to settle," Zammit said.

"It seems to me that people expect Valletta to win every match convincingly, regardless of the opposition, but this scenario is putting undue pressure on our players.

"Our squad has been strengthened considerably this season but we need time to improve and achieve the right balance in the team.

"With regards to our next fixture against Hibs, I'm anticipating a tight match. We are both hungry to win the points and we will both do our best to offer a stiff challenge."

Striker Ian Zammit is suspended for Valletta after his sending-off against Pietà. For Hibs, wing-back Clayton Failla must serve a one-match ban after seeing red in the defeat to Floriana. On the plus side, Nigerian forward Ndubisi Chukunyere, who has been granted Maltese Citizenship, is set to be in the Hibs squad for the first time this season.

Hibs coach Robert Gatt said: "We treat every match the same because all have equal importance. Much will depend on our performance. In the 1-0 loss to Floriana, we didn't get going but that match is now in the past.

"Valletta have always been a tough team to play against. This season, they have made some good signings but I believe that on our day, we can beat them."