The weekend's other matches

Three teams will be battling it out to reach the somewhat mundane target of finishing third in this season's Premier League. Birkirkara, Marsaxlokk and Sliema Wanderers are all in contention to claim third spot going into their final league matches this afternoon.

Their confidence sky-high after a 2-1 win over champions Valletta last weekend, Marsaxlokk are widely expected to end an otherwise turbulent season on a winning note when they face Floriana in today's opening match (kick-off 3 p.m.).

Victory for Marsaxlokk would lift them up to third place and raise the pressure on Birkirkara who face Sliema in the second match.

Patrick Curmi, the Marsaxlokk coach, can't send out his best formation this afternoon.

Brazilian forward Marcelo Pereira is set to be sidelined for two to three months after suffering a hairline fracture in his ankle during last weekend's match against Valletta. Captain Carlo Mamo is ruled out by suspension.

Although Marsaxlokk are poised to gain a top-four finish, their chances of taking part in the Europa League look remote after failing to obtain a licence from the MFA.

Floriana were also at the centre of controversy earlier this season over the registration documents of their former Brazilian forward Paolo Rogerio Da Silva.

Qormi challenged the authenticity of the player's signature on the contract and the MFA Protests Board upheld Qormi's claim to overturn the result of their second round match after ruling that Da Silva was ineligible to play. Floriana had won 3-1 but the Protests Board awarded Qormi a 2-0 victory.

This week, the MFA Board of Inquiry fined Floriana €500 for their part in the Da Silva case.

The Greens have been in freefall for much of the past two months, gaining only two points from their last nine matches. Their chances of ending that negative streak with victory in their final outing of the season are hampered by injuries to a host of key players.

Coach Tony Alamango is expected to pick several young players for today's match as Ryan Darmanin, Owen Bugeja, Sunday Eboh and Marlon Briffa are out of the picture.

Birkirkara will be striving to hang on to third place by taking maximum points from their match with Sliema (kick-off 5 p.m.).

Their task promises to be anything but plainsailing as the Blues are eyeing a morale-boosting result ahead of their FA Trophy final with Valletta on Friday.

Birkirkara coach John Buttigieg, who is discussing a new contract with the Stripes, can only have been disappointed with his team's tame display in the 4-0 loss to Hibs on Monday. Angus Buhagiar and Lee Lombardi are ruled out by injuries but otherwise Buttigieg has a full squad at his disposal.

Stephen Azzopardi, the Wanderers coach, is unlikely to field any of his players who are a yellow card away from suspension. A booking today would rule them out of the Trophy final.

Matthew Bartolo will not face Birkirkara as he has a slight injury.

The same goes for Victor Ortega Coto and Julian Vella while Miguel Ciantar will be unavailable.

Results this season

Floriana vs Marsaxlokk 3-1, 1-2, 2-5.
Birkirkara vs Sliema Wanderers 4-2, 3-2, 0-1.