This weekend's other Premier League matches

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

Sliema Wanderers coach Stephen Azzopardi opted for a cautious approach in the goalless draw against Valletta but it is safe to assume that his tactics for today's match against bottom team Ħamrun will be more attack-minded.

The high-flying Blues have their gazes fixed on victory to strengthen their position in the upper part of the table as victory would lift them to the top, level with Hibs on 22 points.

Croatian forward Kosta Bjedov is still on the casualty list but otherwise Azzopardi can pick his first XI from a full squad.

Mired in relegation trouble, the Spartans desperately need a win to narrow the gap on Marsaxlokk and Msida as well as to lift their morale after back-to-back defeats.

Striker Gaetan Spiteri must serve a one-match ban after his sending-off against Floriana but on the plus side, coach Stephen D'Amato is boosted by the return of Zoran Levnaic and Mark Anthony Bonnici.

First round - Sliema vs Ħamrun 2-0.

Tarxien Rainbows vs Msida St Joseph (tomorrow at 12.45 p.m., Hibs Ground)

The controversy surrounding Patrick Curmi's resignation as Msida coach has been the main theme in the build-up to this delicate clash between two relegation rivals.

Joe Abdilla, Msida's assistant coach, has taken charge of the team for this encounter with Tarxien after the club suspended Curmi 28 days for breaching his contract. The latter's resignation has also been rejected by Msida.

The Msida committee will hope that the uncertainty caused by Curmi's decision to stand down will not distract the players from the important task at hand.

Brazilian striker Marcos Aurelio is out of the reckoning due to a knee injury and defender Stacey Vella must serve a one-match ban.

Player exhaustion is a concern for Tarxien coach Noel Coleiro after his team figured in two matches in four days. On Thursday, the Rainbows slumped to their third defeat on the trot after going down 2-0 to Hibs.

Coleiro is buoyed by the return from suspension of Serbian defender Ivan Carapic. The Rainbows have also increased their pool of defenders with the signing of Lee Galea who played for Mqabba last season.

First round - Msida vs Tarxien 1-0.

Suspensions

Valletta's Luke Dimech and Ian Zammit were banned one match yesterday after collecting their fourth yellow card in the 2-0 defeat of Qormi.