Champs Marsaxlokk out to stay top

Msida St Joseph vs Mqabba (today at 2 p.m., Hibs Ground).
Msida St Joseph will be looking to get back in winning groove and improve their survival chances with a victory over bottom-placed Mqabba this afternoon.

Five points separate Msida (11) from Mqabba (6) but the latter will surely be keen to maintain their resurgence after back-to-back victories halted a dismal run of 11 consecutive defeats. Incidentally, their first win in five months was against Msida in Mqabba's last match of the first phase of the championship.

Mqabba may still be the favourites to go down but a victory today would surely give them fresh hope, a scenario Msida will try to avoid.

Patrick Curmi, the Msida coach, has no selection problems. His options are made better by the return of Tyrone Farrugia who missed the 3-0 upset to Hibs last weekend through suspension.

Mqabba coach Bobby Giorev must make do without Matthew Cocks who received a one-match ban last week. In their last match, Mqabba inflicted a 2-0 defeat on Pietà Hotspurs courtesy of a brace from Brazilian striker Marcelo Pereira.

Results so far: Msida St Joseph vs Mqabba 4-3, 1-2.

Hamrun Spartans vs Sliema Wanderers (today at 4 p.m., Hibs Ground).
Sliema Wanderers desperately need a psychological tonic after a turbulent week in which club president Robert Arrigo took the drastic step of freezing the players' wages for March in the wake of a 4-2 upset to Marsaxlokk, their second in as many matches.

Down to fourth in the standings and trailing leaders Marsaxlokk by seven points, Sliema know that anything less than a victory against Hamrun today would all but kill their fading title hopes.

Coach Stephen Azzopardi's short-term goal is to steer his team back to winning ways and restore morale among his players.

He is expected to make some changes to his line-up today. Two players are certain to miss the match as Orosco Anonam has to serve a one-match ban and Malta forward Etienne Barbara has been suspended by the club until the end of the month for refusing to come on as a substitute in the defeat to Marsaxlokk.

Mark Scerri is another potential absentee as he is struggling to shake off the ankle injury he suffered in Sliema's last match. Defender Jeffrey Chetcuti is doubtful.

Hamrun have already fulfilled their objective of a top-six finish but after opening their Championship Pool account with a 1-1 draw against Floriana, they will perhaps fancy their chances of gaining something from their match against Sliema who are only a point above the Spartans in the standings.

Marco Gerada's options are hampered by injuries and suspensions.

Mark Anthony Bonnici and Roderick Fenech must serve a one-match ban and key midfielder Rupert Mangion is injured. Goalkeeper Michael Falzon and Evano Briffa are still recovering from injuries but Serb defender Bratislav Timotic could return after missing the Floriana game on Monday.

Results so far: Hamrun Spartans vs Sliema Wanderers 0-3, 1-1.

Birkirkara vs Marsaxlokk (tomorrow at 2 p.m., National Stadium).
On a high after going top of the Premier League as a result of their 4-2 win over Sliema and Valletta's 1-1 draw with Birkirkara, Marsaxlokk will be relishing the prospect of increasing the pressure on the Citizens by beating Birkirkara in tomorrow afternoon's early kick-off.

Marsaxlokk made a stuttering start to their title defence but they dug in and got back in the title race to the point that they are now regarded among the favourites to become champions again come May.

Birkirkara have also had their fair share of upsets in the first phase of the campaign but their lively displays in a 3-1 win over Sliema and Monday's draw with Valletta have caused a few ripples among their Championship Pool rivals, especially those gunning for the title.

On the back of their positive results of late, both Marsaxlokk and Birkirkara ought to be optimistic about their chances of winning tomorrow's match.

Marsaxlokk coach Brian Talbot is expected to stick with the team that defeated Sliema 4-2 on Sunday. Midfielder Gareth Sciberras is still sidelined with an eye problem and Malcolm Licari has undergone a cartilage operation but Peter Pullicino is back to full fitness.

It remains to be seen if John Buttigieg, the Birkirkara coach, restores Emil Yanchev to his starting line-up after the Bulgarian completed a one-match ban in the 1-1 draw with Valletta.

In Yanchev's absence, Lee Lombardi did well in the heart of defence and his performance may have persuaded Buttigieg to keep him in the team.

Midfielder George Mallia is also raring to go after recuperating from a back injury but Michael Galea and Lino Galea are still out with knee injuries.

Results so far: Birkirkara vs Marsaxlokk 2-0, 1-3.