First Old Firm duel of new season

(today at 5 p.m., National Stadium).

The Old Firm rivals go head to head in the weekend's opening match.

Both teams were victorious in their last outings as Floriana had the better of Birkirkara 1-0 and Sliema beat Ħamrun Spartans 2-0 despite playing with ten men for more than an hour following the dismissal of Serbian striker Kosta Bjedov.

Pleased with his team's performances in their opening two matches, Sliema coach Stephen Azzopardi hopes his players show the same fighting spirit against a Floriana team who have not conceded a goal so far.

The Blues are set to be without forward Ivan Woods who is recovering from the thigh injury he suffered during Malta's 4-0 defeat to Portugal last Saturday while Bjedov will be serving a one-match ban.

Australian midfielder Danny Severino is in line to make his first start for the Blues while Costa Rican Victor Coto is unlikely to feature as his registration papers have yet to be finalised.

Floriana coach Zoran Popovic has a full compliment at his disposal for his first derby since he took charge of the Greens.

Birkirkara vs Msida St Joseph

(today at 7 p.m., National Stadium).

Birkirkara will be eager to get back to winning ways when they face Msida St Joseph.

The Stripes were left to rue a series of missed chances from their forwards in going down 1-0 to Floriana in their last league outing.

Although the FA Trophy winners start as favourites to obtain their second win of the season, their task will be anything but easy as they must deal with an Msida side brimming with confidence after chalking up their first win over Tarxien Rainbows last month.

Defender Lee Lombardi is doubtful for Birkirkara due to a knee problem but otherwise, coach John Buttigieg can bank on a full squad. Brazilian forward Walter Sander-Landim is expected to make his first start after his substitute's appearance against Floriana.

Msida coach Patrick Curmi could be forced to make one change from the team that beat the Rainbows as midfielder Dino Cachia is struggling with a groin strain.

Tarxien Rainbows vs Qormi

(tomorrow at 5 p.m., National Stadium).

Newly-promoted sides Tarxien Rainbows and Qormi will be after valuable points when they clash in tomorrow's opening match.

Qormi and Tarxien are still in search of their first win in the top flight and an entertaining encounter is anticipated between two teams who have produced some positive football in their opening two matches.

Ambitious Qormi are optimistic about winning the three points at stake tomorrow after their bright performances against big guns Marsaxlokk (1-1) and Hibernians (1-3). Alfred Effiong and Josian Da Silva have impressed as an attacking partnership and coach Jesmond Zerafa will be banking on their pace to break down the Rainbows.

For their part, Tarxien have no points to show for their efforts despite encouraging performances against Birkirkara and Msida. Coach Noel Coleiro is hoping for better finishing from his forwards in a bid to help his team break their duck.

Marsaxlokk vs Ħamrun Spartans

(tomorrow at 7 p.m., National Stadium).

A balanced, well-contested match is expected tomorrow evening when Marsaxlokk combat Ħamrun Spartans.

Runners-up last season, Marsaxlokk have only gained one point from their first two outings following a 1-1 draw against new boys Qormi and a 2-0 defeat to champions Valletta. Victory against the Spartans is a must for Brian Talbot's men if they are to keep the pace with the front-runners.

However, their task is hampered by the absence of chief goalscorer Julio Alcorse who is out for three weeks with a hamstring injury while Trevor Templeman is still recovering from appendicitis surgery.

The Spartans are also desperate to pick up their first win following lacklustre performances in their goalless draw against Floriana and the defeat to Sliema.

Ħamrun have found the going tough in front of goal as they are the only team in the division yet to score a goal this season.

The return from suspension of striker Gaetan Spiteri is a boost for coach Marco Gerada who has no selection problems. Defender Roderick Fenech returned to training this week after recovering from injury.