This weekend's matches

Msida St Joseph vs Tarxien Rainbows (today, National Stadium at 3 p.m.)

In-form Tarxien Rainbows will be looking to maintain their scintillating start to the season when they take on Msida St Joseph this afternoon.

Tarxien, fourth in the standings with seven points, are on a high after an impressive 3-1 win over Sliema earlier this month. Coach Noel Coleiro will be hoping his players keep up the momentum as they look to strengthen their charge for a top-six berth.

Tarxien will be without defender Ryan Mintoff, suspended after he was sent off against the Wanderers, but on the plus side goalkeeper Anthony Curmi is back from injury.

Msida also come into this match in high spirits after a gritty performance earned them their first point of the season in a goalless draw with title favourites Valletta.

Neville Arpa is the only doubt for Msida coach Mark Marlow after missing training this week due to sickness.

Sliema vs Ħamrun (today, National Stadium at 5 p.m.)

One win from their opening four matches is a poor return for Sliema Wanderers who were tipped to challenge for the honours after an active transfer campaign.

The slip-up to Tarxien has indeed increased the pressure on the Wanderers and their coach Stephen Azzopardi.

Today, the Blues have a chance to relaunch their campaign when they take on lowly Ħamrun Spartans who are still without a point this season.

Azzopardi can't field his strongest formation as Ivan Woods is struggling with hamstring trouble while Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, John Mintoff and Alex Muscat have all been ruled out of the match.

Ħamrun's chances of breaking their duck this season are hampered by a spate of absences.

Brazilian forward Marcelo Pereira is suspended following his red card against Floriana while Jonathan Holland, Manolito Micallef and Johnny Debattista are unfit.

Mark Anthony Bonnici is set to make his first appearance of the season after recovering from injury.

Floriana vs Dingli Swallows (tomorrow, National Stadium at 3 p.m.)

After chalking up their first win of the campaign at the expense of Ħamrun, Floriana start favourites to obtain another three points when they clash with Dingli Swallows.

The Greens produced their best performance against the Spartans and coach Roddy Collins will be eager to see further improvement from his players.

However, the Irish coach is still hindered by injuries to several first-team players as, apart from long-term absentees Christian Cassar and Sunday Eboh, the Greens will also be without Julian Briffa, who suffered a facial injury during training.

English forward Donovan Simmonds will undergo a late fitness test after picking up a knock in the team's last outing.

For Dingli, this match represents an opportunity to finally open their account and coach Jesmond Zammit will be urging his players to show the same battling qualities that characterised their performances of late.

Zammit is set to check on the fitness of Andre Rocha Da Silva and Kevin Borg before naming his starting formation.

Hibernians vs Birkirkara (tomorrow, National Stadium at 5 p.m.)

Their pride hurt after a 3-1 upset to high-flying Qormi, champions Hibernians are keen to return to winning ways when they meet third-placed Birkirkara.

Birkirkara are on a roll after winning three matches in a row.

Hibs suffered an unexpected blow in midweek after key midfielder Andrew Cohen limped out of Malta's 4-0 defeat to Portugal with a quad injury.

Aaron Xuereb is close to regaining full fitness but Ben Camilleri (ankle) is likely to miss out. Left-back Adrian Pulis has recovered from a hamstring injury.

Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit hopes that his team come out on top in the first test of their title credentials since their opening-day defeat to Valletta.

Spanish goalkeeper Jorge Mora is out for the Stripes as he must serve the second of a two-match suspension.

Captain Michael Galea is also set to miss tomorrow's encounter with the champions as he is struggling with an adductor injury.