The other matches this weekend

Floriana vs Hibernians (today at 3 p.m., National Stadium)

Leaders Hibernians are bracing themselves for a tricky test this afternoon as they face fourth-placed Floriana.

The Paolites come into this match on a high after a thrilling 3-2 derby victory over Marsaxlokk before the international break. Coach Mark Miller will be keen to see his players maintain the positive momentum against the Greens.

Floriana have been rather inconsistent in this early part of the campaign as they followed excellent victories over Birkirkara (1-0) and Marsaxlokk (3-1) with opaque displays against Msida St Joseph (1-4) and Qormi (0-0).

The Greens' Serbian coach, Zoran Popovic, has a full complement at his disposal.

Miller has several injury problems to contend with as defender Adrian Pulis is out with a hamstring injury while Clayton Failla (groin), Aaron Xuereb (foot), Jonathan Caruana (calf) and Mark Herrera (knee) are all rated as doubtful.

Msida St Joseph vs Ħamrun Spartans (today at 5 p.m., National Stadium)

Msida St Joseph and Ħamrun Spartans will be looking to gain valuable points in their push for a top-six berth this season when these two neighbouring rivals clash this evening.

These two teams have experienced different fortunes at the start of the campaign. While Msida are sitting comfortably in sixth place in the standings and look well-poised for a Championship Pool berth, the Spartans are still in search of their first win.

Msida coach Patrick Curmi, who has a full squad, is hoping that his players will rise to the occasion and gain a victory that would surely boost their aspirations of finishing in the top six at the end of the first phase.

Ħamrun coach Marco Gerada can only field one foreign player today, Serbian midfielder Zoran Levnaic, after Brazilian striker Ronaldo Ortega was released by the club. Alex Noronha, also from Brazil, is out for five weeks with an Achilles injury.

The Spartans are awaiting the arrival of a Nigerian striker who is expected to start a trial with the club next week.

Victory is a must for the Spartans as failure to pick up the three points would all but end their Championship Pool aspirations.

Tarxien Rainbows vs Marsaxlokk (tomorrow at 3 p.m., National Stadium)

Marsaxlokk have been one of the most disappointing teams in the Premier League so far this season. Five points from their opening six matches is a meagre tally for the southern club who were touted among the leading candidates for the league title before the start of the season.

Tomorrow, Marsaxlokk face a must-win scenario against lowly Tarxien Rainbows if they are to kickstart their push towards a top-six place. Their hopes are boosted by the return to fitness of Argentine striker Julio Alcorse but winger Kevin Sammut is still recovering from injury.

The Rainbows, for their part, are hoping to hold their own against their more-quoted opponents as they look to close the gap on the other teams in the relegation zone.

Tarxien coach Noel Coleiro cannot field his strongest formation tomorrow as Kevin Borg is out with an eye injury, Andrew Decesare is sidelined with a knee injury and Malcolm Buttigieg is rated doubtful due to a back problem.