Marsaxlokk out to regain winning touch

Marsaxlokk vs Hamrun Spartans (today at 3 p.m., National Stadium).

Having relinquished top spot to Valletta after the 2-1 slip-up to Birkirkara last weekend, Marsaxlokk will be gunning to make a quick return to winning ways today when they face Hamrun Spartans.

With Valletta and Sliema Wanderers facing off in today's second match, Marsaxlokk will be aware that victory this afternoon would turn up the heat on the Citizens who currently have a two-point lead at the top. Besides, the champions will be looking to get revenge on Hamrun after the latter humbled them 7-3 in their last meeting.

Marsaxlokk coach Brian Talbot cannot pick his best team today as Montenegro forward Aleksandar Madzar is ruled out by suspension.

Cleaven Frendo is another key Marsaxlokk player likely to miss the match as he is struggling to shake off the ankle injury he picked up in Sunday's defeat to Birkirkara.

Gareth Sciberras is still recovering from an eye injury but Malcolm Licari appears to have a slight chance of making the squad as he is now close to completing his rehab from a cartilage operation.

Hamrun are still without a win in the Championship Pool. Coach Marco Gerada, who begins a two-match touchline ban, welcomes back in the fray Roderick Fenech and Mark Anthony Bonnici who missed the 2-0 defeat to Sliema due to suspension.

Rupert Mangion is still out with knee trouble and Precious Monye is unavailable as he is on a visit to his home country for family reasons. Goalkeeper Michael Falzon and Evano Briffa are still on the casualty list.

Results so far: Hamrun Spartans vs Marsaxlokk 1-0, 7-3.

Pietà Hotspurs vs Hibernians (tomorrow at 3 p.m., National Stadium).

After opening their Relegation Pool account with a 3-0 win over Msida St Joseph, Hibs are widely expected to make it two wins on the trot by beating second-from-bottom Pietà Hotspurs tomorrow.

Victory for the Paolites would all but secure their Premier League status but on the other side of the fence, the Hotspurs urgently need the three points if they are to keep their salvation hopes alive.

Robert Gatt, the Hibs coach, has no particular selection problems but not so can be said of his Pietà counterpart, Carmel Busuttil.

His options are decimated by injuries to Ryan Camilleri, Bernard Sciberras, Carl Pulo and Pierre Aquilina. Midfielder Domenic Mifsud must serve a one-match suspension and Quilin Refalo is out for the rest of the season after being hit by a six-match ban for improper conduct.

Results so far: Hibs vs Pietà 2-0, 2-0.

Floriana vs Birkirkara (tomorrow at 5 p.m., National Stadium).

Buoyed by their excellent start to the Championship Pool, Birkirkara will surely fancy their chances of maintaining their resurgence by beating Floriana.

The Greens are out of the title race but they still have hopes of reviving their challenge for a spot in one of UEFA's competitions.

Last weekend, Birkirkara came from 1-0 down to beat Marsaxlokk 2-1 and consolidate third place in the standings. Coach John Buttigieg is unlikely to make significant changes to his formation but Ivorian striker Davy-Amed Sylla may return after making good progress in his recovery from injury.

Michael Galea and Lino Galea are still on the sidelines.

Danilo Doncic, the Floriana coach, knows that his team must improve on their dismal record of one draw and two defeats from their opening three Championship Pool matches if they are to break into the top four positions.

Tomorrow, Doncic cannot rely on midfield anchor-man, Serbian Zoran Levnaic who is suspended. Defender Julian Briffa is also out with a one-match ban while Yala Bolasie is not 100 per cent fit.

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