The weekend's other matches

Msida vs Tarxien (today 5 p.m., National Stadium).

Msida St Joseph and Tarxien Rainbows will aspire for better fortunes when they make their second appearance of the season today.

Both teams suffered disappointing defeats in the opening round of matches with the Saints conceding a heavy 5-1 loss to Hibernians while Tarxien went down 3-1 to Birkirkara.

Patrick Curmi, the Msida coach, wants more commitment from his players and is likely to make some changes as he looks to chalk up the first points on the board.

Tarxien coach Noel Coleiro, in his first experience at the top flight, has a full complement at his disposal and will be hoping his players show the same fighting spirit displayed in the second half against Birkirkara.

Ħamrun vs Sliema (today 7 p.m., National Stadium).

Sliema Wanderers face a tricky test when playing Ħamrun Spartans in what promises to be a balanced encounter.

Both teams carved out a draw in their opening matches but the Blues should be more satisfied with the outcome having come back from behind to hold champions Valletta as the Spartans looked short of attacking ideas in a goalless draw against Floriana.

Stephen Azzopardi, the Sliema coach, is set to have a new foreigner in his squad, Danny Severino, an Australian midfielder who holds an Italian passport. If the transfer is completed in time, Severino will become the second foreigner for Sliema after Serb Kosta Bjedov.

Meanwhile, Mark Scerri and Noel Turner are both ruled with a knee injury.

Ħamrun coach Marco Gerada will have to do without striker Gaetan Spiteri, suspended, while Dylan Kokavessis is out injured.

The Spartans signed goalkeeper Ivan Casha who returned to his former club after putting pen to paper on a three-year deal. Striker Mark Camilleri is also being lined up to join Ħamrun from Xewkija Tigers.

Qormi vs Hibernians (tomorrow 5 p.m., National Stadium).

After an eye-catching performance on their return to Premier League football, Qormi will be looking to further impress when they face Hibernians.

Last Sunday, Qormi almost scored a stunning win over Marsaxlokk but conceded a last-gasp equaliser. Today, they face another tough task as Hibs are coming from a 5-1 mauling of Msida.

Jesmond Zerafa, the Qormi coach, seems to have assembled a solid squad and the arrival of midfielder Adrian Ciantar from Birkirkara should add further quality to a team that has put Premier League salvation on top of their list.

Edmond Lufi, the Hibs coach, has almost a full squad to choose from after goalkeeper Mario Muscat recovered from 'flu while Daniel Balzan was declared fit to play following a knock he suffered against Msida.

The Paolites are also close to signing a Congolese forward who was on trial with the club earlier this summer. Hibs officials are trying to tie up a deal in time before Monday's transfer deadline.

Birkirkara vs Floriana (tomorrow 7 p.m., National Stadium).

Birkirkara will be all out to secure their second successive win at the expense of Floriana. The Stripes, buoyed by a 3-1 win over Tarxien, are favourites to maintain the winning trend against a Floriana, still looking to find their feet after a low-key start to the new season.

Coach John Buttigieg is expected to make few changes to his line-up as all his players came through unscathed from their previous match.

Birkirkara could well have a Brazilian player in their squad against Floriana as yesterday they were looking to complete his registration in time for this match.

Floriana will be without young defender Owen Bugeja who saw red against Hamrun last weekend. A timely boost for Floriana is the recovery of playmaker Christian Caruana who is expected to make his first appearance of the season tomorrow.