The other matches this weekend

Msida St Joseph vs Birkirkara (today, National Stadium at 2 p.m.)

Birkirkara will be targeting top spot in the standings when they face Msida St Joseph in the weekend's opening match.

Birkirkara are currently two points adrift of leaders Hibernians, but with the Paolites not in action this weekend, the Stripes have the opportunity to regain first place if they pick up maximum spoils against the Saints.

John Buttigieg's team seem to have clicked back into gear after winning their last two matches, putting in a good dose of consistency that, if maintained, would leave them well-placed at the start of the Championship Pool.

Buttigieg welcomes Paul Fenech back in the fray. He missed the 2-1 win over Floriana through suspension but defender Lee Lombardi is still recovering from hernia operation.

The Stripes' task is far from straightforward though as they meet a Msida team brimming with confidence after a 2-0 win over Tarxien boosted their hopes of a top-six berth.

Joe Abdilla, who as a player won several honours with Valletta FC way back in the 1970s, has enjoyed a great start in his first stint as coach of a Premier League club.

He will have an almost full squad available as the only player sidelined for this match is Brazilian forward Marcos Aurelio who is recovering from a knee injury.

First round: Birkirkara vs Msida St Joseph 2-0.

Qormi vs Tarxien Rainbows (tomorrow, Tedesco Stadium at 12.45 p.m.)

These two newly-promoted sides will go head-to-head tomorrow in what promises to be a tight clash between two sides desperate for points to avoid the drop.

Qormi are coming from five successive defeats while Tarxien have lost their last four with the result that they are now occupying the bottom two places in the division.

Qormi are hampered by several injury worries as forwards Alfred Effiong and Carmel Formosa and midfielders Paul Camilleri and Joseph Farrugia are all ruled out while Brazilian striker Ivan da Silva is struggling for fitness.

The Rainbows have a healthier bill of health but their only concern is chief goal-getter Daniel Mariano Bueno.

The Brazilian suffered a foot injury in the 2-0 defeat to Msida and is facing a race against time to make the squad.

First round: Tarxien vs Qormi 0-2.

Sliema Wanderers vs Floriana (tomorrow, Tedesco Stadium at 2.45 p.m.)

Sliema Wanderers and Floriana will renew their old rivalry tomorrow when they face each other in a highly-anticipating Old Firm clash.

These two traditional rivals of the local game come into the match looking to bounce back from last week's upsets after the Wanderers fell to a shock 3-0 defeat to lowly Ħamrun Spartans while Floriana came a cropper against Birkirkara who prevailed by the odd goal in three.

Sliema coach Stephen Azzopardi is demanding a marked improvement from his players.

Against Ħamrun, the Blues looked a disjointed lot and lacked cohesive play with the result that the Spartans cruised to an unlikely comfortable victory.

The Sliema coach is still without Kosta Bjedov while midfielder Roderick Briffa is rated as doubtful after picking up a knee injury against Ħamrun.

Floriana, on their part, will be keen to regain their winning momentum after the upset to Birkirkara saw them missing out on the chance to break into the top four.

This week, the Greens were hit by the news that they could lose reliable goalkeeper Dejan Maksic who is seeking a move abroad during next month's transfer window.

Floriana are currently in talks with the player's agent as they seek to convince the Serbian to, at least, stay till the end of the season.

Against Sliema, Floriana will be without Joseph Borg. He must serve a one-match ban while Orosco Anonam is unlikely to face his former team as he is still not 100 per cent fit.

First round: Floriana vs Sliema Wanderers 0-0.