This weekend's other matches

Ħamrun Spartans vs Floriana (today at 2 p.m., National Stadium)

Floriana and Ħamrun Spartans experienced contrasting fortunes last weekend. Whereas the Greens came from a goal down to beat Tarxien Rainbows 3-1, the Reds failed to build on their 3-2 win over Qormi after crashing to a 4-0 defeat to Valletta.

Floriana will surely fancy their chances of upstaging Ħamrun to strengthen their push for the Championship Pool whereas the Spartans will probably look at this match as the perfect opportunity to bounce back from their upset to Valletta.

Zoran Popovic, the Floriana coach, will have to make at least one change in defence as Julian Briffa has been advised to skip this match to aid his recovery from a muscle problem.

Sunday Eboh and Christian Caruana are back in the frame after suspension kept them out of the Tarxien match while Dylan Zarb and Marlon Briffa have improved their chances of gaining a starting role after their bright performances as substitutes against the Rainbows.

Steve D'Amato, the Ħamrun coach, has a shortage of defenders after Zoran Levnaic, who has been filling in at centre-back lately, received a one-match suspension.

Alex Noronha only made a couple of first-team appearances since joining Ħamrun as his progress has been hampered by nagging injuries. The Brazilian defender has been released by the Spartans.

First round - Floriana vs Ħamrun 0-0.

Qormi vs Marsaxlokk (tomorrow at 1.30 p.m., Tedesco Stadium)

The presence of Qormi and Marsaxlokk in the lower part of the standings has given their direct clash an extra edge.

Qormi are second from bottom with six points, just one ahead of Ħamrun and Tarxien, and one behind Marsaxlokk who have played a game more than Jesmond Zerafa's team.

Marsaxlokk are clearly finding it hard to emulate their achievements of the last two seasons. Brian Talbot's defensive resources are diluted by the absence of Brian Said and Stephen Wellman, both suspended, and Renato Conceicao, injured. On the plus side, William Camenzuli and Carlo Mamo are available after serving a one-match ban.

Qormi will be looking to assuage their bitter disappointment at conceding a last-minute goal in their 2-1 defeat to Sliema Wanderers.

Joseph Chetcuti cannot play for Qormi after receiving a one-match ban while Chucks Nwoko will serve the second of a two-match suspension. Midfielder Joseph Farrugia is sidelined with injury and left-back Renie Forace is out of equation after falling out with the club on disciplinary matters.

First round - Qormi vs Marsaxlokk 1-1.

Birkirkara vs Tarxien Rainbows (tomorrow at 3.30 p.m., Tedesco Stadium)

Birkirkara are in need of a psychological fillip after their 6-0 annihilation by Hibs in midweek. For their part, relegation candidates Tarxien Rainbows are eager to put their frustrating 3-1 defeat to Floriana behind them.

John Buttigieg, the Birkirkara coach, will again have to watch the game from the stands as he must serve the second of a two-match touchline ban. The same applies to left-back Joseph Zerafa who has been banned for one match for his red card against Hibs. Defender Lee Lombardi is still recovering from surgery but Shawn Bajada returns from suspension.

Noel Coleiro, the Tarxien coach, is expected to make a few changes to the team that fell apart in the final 13 minutes of their clash with Floriana. Warren Chircop and Luke Vella Critien have recovered from illness and Ramon Schembri is back after seeing out his one-match ban.

First round - Birkirkara vs Tarxien 3-1.