The other Premier League matches

Hibs vs Floriana (today at 17.00, National Stadium)

Having gained one point from their last two outings, Hibs will be determined to get back to winning ways and ensure another week at the top of the table.

The Paolites' two-match winless streak has seen their six-point lead over Valletta trimmed to just one but a win over Floriana would take them four points clear and pile the pressure on their title rivals ahead of their tricky encounter with Birkirkara on Monday.

Mark Miller, the Hibs coach, welcomes back Clayton Failla after the Malta wing-back missed the 2-2 draw with Marsaxlokk through suspension. Defenders Adrian Pulis and Aaron Xuereb are still recovering from injuries while striker Terrence Scerri is ranked doubtful.

Without a win in the Championship Pool, Floriana must raise their game by several notches to stand a chance of ending their disappointing run.

Tony Alamango, the Floriana coach, is grappling with a shortage of forward players as Christian Caruana and Ryan Darmanin are still on the treatment table.

Defender Steve Bonnici and midfielder Luke Agius are also out of the picture because of injuries but Owen Bugeja should return after missing the 3-1 loss to Birkirkara last weekend.

Previous results - Hibs vs Floriana 1-2, 1-1, 4-1.

Sliema Wanderers vs Marsaxlokk (tomorrow at 17.00, National Stadium)

Sliema Wanderers' grip on fourth place in the table is under threat from Marsaxlokk.

Buoyed by their gutsy display in the two-all draw with Hibs, Marsaxlokk will fancy their chances of climbing to fourth place by beating the Wanderers tomorrow.

Marsaxlokk coach Patrick Curmi is unlikely to make significant alterations from the team that started Sunday's match against Hibs. Midfielder Peter Pullicino is suspended.

Sliema went down 3-0 to Valletta on Monday. Coach Stephen Azzopardi adopted a cautious gameplan against the Citizens but he's expected to be more attack-minded against Marsaxlokk.

However, his options are limited as Miguel Ciantar and Victor Ortega Coto joined Mark Scerri, Branko Nisevic, Kane Farrugia and goalkeeper Simon Agius on the sidelines.

Previous results - Sliema vs Marsaxlokk 0-0, 2-1, 3-0.

Birkirkara vs Valletta (Monday at 19.30, National Stadium)

Now that they have moved to within striking distance of leaders Hibs, champions Valletta will be extra-motivated to keep up the chase but they are wary of the looming pitfalls, starting with Monday's match against perennial rivals Birkirkara.

Birkirkara have long given up hope of winning the title but they have this tendency of reserving their best performances for their clashes with the Citizens. Suffice to say that Valletta have not beaten the Stripes in three matches this season.

When these two teams met in the first round of the Championship Pool, Birkirkara inflicted Valletta's first defeat this season after beating them 3-1.

Three wins on the trot have restored optimism among the Valletta players who will surely be positive about their chances of overcoming this hurdle.

Valletta midfielder Roderick Briffa and defender Luke Dimech are in line for a first-team recall after suspension kept them out of their team's 3-0 dismissal of Sliema. Goalkeeper Andrew Hogg is still recovering from the knee wound he suffered during the 2-1 defeat of Hibs.

Ian Zammit's participation in Monday's match is in the balance after the striker injured his Achilles against Sliema.

John Buttigieg, the Birkirkara coach, left some of his big guns out of the starting line-up for last weekend's match against Floriana, which the Stripes won 3-1.

However, the likes of Shawn Bajada and Paul Fenech are expected to start against Valletta, with Fenech the leading contender to replace Alan Tabone who is ruled out by suspension.

Previous results - Valletta vs Birkirkara 2-2, 1-1, 1-3.