The weekend's other Premier League matches...

Ħamrun Spartans vs Tarxien Rainbows (today at 15.00, National Stadium).

An anxious weekend beckons the players and fans of the four teams in the Relegation Pool. The fight to avoid the drop could take a decisive twist in the next 48 hours as defeats for Tarxien Rainbows and Qormi would condemn both to relegation.

Needless to say that Tarxien and Qormi will be determined to win and keep their hopes of survival alive.

The Rainbows, who were on the receiving end of a 3-0 defeat to Qormi last weekend, square up to Ħamrun who are also desperate to return to winning ways after losing 2-0 to Msida St Joseph last Sunday.

Victory for the Spartans today would take them four points clear of Tarxien and edge them closer to safety. Stephen D'Amato, the Ħamrun coach, welcomes back captain Rupert Mangion who missed the upset to Msida through suspension.

Noel Coleiro, the Tarxien coach, can't field his strongest team as Brazilian defender Everson Alan da Lima and Ramon Schembri must serve a one-match ban.

A plus for Coleiro is the return of Clifford Gatt Baldacchino whose towering presence in defence was sorely missed by Tarxien in their loss to Qormi.

Previous results - Ħamrun vs Tarxien 1-1, 0-4, 1-5.

Birkirkara vs Floriana (today at 17.00, National Stadium).

Birkirkara's hold on third place in the table is looking increasingly vulnerable after they lost three matches in a row. The Stripes will be optimistic about their chances of ending their losing streak this afternoon against a Floriana side that have looked short of motivation in their last few outings.

John Buttigieg, the Birkirkara coach, will be tempted to make a few changes to the team that lost 1-0 to Sliema last weekend but his options are somewhat restricted by injuries.

Angus Buhagiar and Lee Lombardi are still on the casualty list while Jonathan Holland and Mauro Di Lello are ranked doubtful.

Floriana, who went down 5-2 to Marsaxlokk last weekend, are still hampered by the absence of Ryan Darmanin. The lanky striker is yet to recover from an adductor injury but could make the squad today.

Christian Cassar is another injury doubt for Floriana as the midfielder-cum-forward is struggling to overcome a nagging ankle problem.

Previous results - Birkirkara vs Floriana 0-1, 2-1, 2-0.

Qormi vs Msida St Joseph (tomorrow at 15.00, National Stadium).

Another decisive game, especially for Qormi. The pressure on Qormi to avoid defeat will increase if Tarxien go down to the Spartans while Msida could gain added motivation from a Spartans win, knowing that a victory would keep them in the Premier League.

Both Qormi and Msida are high on morale after winning their last matches.

Qormi coach Jesmond Zerafa is widely expected to pick the same team that started last weekend's 3-0 win over Tarxien.

Left-back Clifton Ciantar is ruled out by a hamstring injury.

Like his Qormi counterpart, Joe Abdilla will be reluctant to change his formation after Msida revived their survival hopes with a 2-0 win over Ħamrun.

Brazilian Pedro dos Santos Calcado and Kenneth Spiteri are back in the frame for Msida after suspension kept them out of their team's last outing. Andrew Spiteri is sidelined with a cruciate injury.

Previous results - Msida vs Qormi 1-1, 1-0, 0-5.

Hibs vs Marsaxlokk (tomorrow at 17.00, National Stadium).

Hibs have their sights firmly set on victory to bounce back from their upset to Valletta and increase the pressure on their title rivals ahead of their clash with Sliema on Monday.

The Paolites missed a glorious chance to effectively wrap up the championship when they lost 2-1 to the Citizens but coach Mark Miller is backing his team to get back on the winning trail.

"Maybe a six-point lead was too advantageous," Miller said as he reflected on Hibs' defeat last Monday. We wanted to win but we didn't want it more than Valletta and that's why we lost.

"Nevertheless, we're still in a good position but we're also in a difficult situation because of injuries. We need to bounce back, we must keep fighting."

Clayton Failla received a one-match ban in midweek and will miss this match. Ben Camilleri is also out of the picture after twisting his ankle in the first half of Monday's defeat while Malta defender Aaron Xuereb is unlikely to play again this season due a groin problem.

Miller is hoping that Adrian Pulis completes his recovery from a hamstring strain in time to play.

Marsaxlokk coach Patrick Curmi is concerned about the fitness of midfielder Christian Cassar who is nursing a groin injury. Defender Clive Brincat is also out with groin trouble and Dylan Kokavessis is out with a cartilage injury.

Previous results - Hibs vs Marsaxlokk 3-2, 4-1, 4-1.