The other matches this weekend

Floriana vs Tarxien Rainbows (today, National Stadium at 2 p.m.).

Vital points will be at stake in this afternoon's opening match when Floriana take on Tarxien Rainbows.

The Greens come into the match on the back of a disappointing defeat against Valletta and will be keen to get back to winning form as they look to close in on a place in the Championship Pool.

However, their task will be far from straightforward as they face a rejuvenated Tarxien side who are brimming with confidence lately.

The Rainbows are on a three-match winning streak as they backed up their impressive 3-1 league victory over Marsaxlokk with back-to-back wins in the FA Trophy against Mqabba and Msida St Joseph.

The six-week break from league football has enabled Tarxien coach Noel Coleiro to recover almost all his men as Lino Galea, Pio Sciriha, Ryan Grech and Andrew Decesare are back to full fitness.

Floriana coach Zoran Popovic will have to do without two key players today as Christian Caruana and Sunday Eboh are ruled out with a one-match ban.

Qormi vs Sliema Wanderers (tomorrow, Hibs Ground at 1 p.m.).

Sliema will be gunning to take sole leadership in the standings when they entertain Qormi at the Hibs Ground, weather permitting.

The Wanderers have won three of their last four league matches and trail leaders Birkirkara by only two points. The Stripes will not be in action this weekend.

Qormi are expected to offer a stiff challenge though to make up for last weekend's 3-2 defeat to Ħamrun Spartans. With just one point separating them from the bottom-placed Ħamrun and Tarxien, Qormi will be keen to win some valuable points as they seek to re-launch their bid for a top-six placing.

Sliema coach Stephen Azzopardi will be without Roderick Briffa, who is suspended, while Mark Scerri and Kosta Bjedov are out with knee trouble.

Qormi will have to do without suspended pair Chucks Nwoko and Renie Forace but midfielder Keith Fenech returns after serving a one-match ban.

Hibernians vs Msida SJ (tomorrow, Hibs Ground at 3 p.m.).

Hibernians have set their sights of picking maximum spoils from this match against Msida St Joseph as they look to keep up the pressure on the league pacesetters.

Hibs are currently four points adrift of leaders Birkirkara but with a game in hand. The Paolites have a busy fortnight ahead as they play four matches in the space of two weeks and coach Mark Miller is urging total concentration from his players.

Miller's main concern is the fact that his team could show some rustiness as they have not been in action since the 2-1 defeat to Floriana on October 18.

The English coach has almost a full compliment at his disposal as young defender Jonathan Pearson will be the only absentee tomorrow to serve a one-match ban.

Msida, on their part, are passing through a positive spell lately.

They have turned out to be a tough nut to crack for the top teams and will be hoping they can pull up a surprise on the Paolites.

However, their hopes are not aided by the absence of three key players as Tyrone Farrugia and Pedro dos Santos Calcado are suspended while Marcos Aurelio is struggling with a knee injury.