Top-six contenders aim for debutants’ lift

Hibs vs Marsaxlokk (today at 2 p.m., National Stadium)

Hibs will be hoping that the year just started will spark an upturn in their fortunes after they ended 2010 with a 3-1 loss to Birkirkara that left them second-from-bottom in the Premier League table with only eight points from 12 games.

Marsaxlokk are six points ahead of Hibs but they are also under mounting pressure to get their act together after a string of negative results dragged them back in the fight for Championship Pool places.

Mark Miller suffered a blow in midweek after Scottish striker Paul McManus sustained a back injury that will keep him out of today’s critical match.

The Hibs coach described the loss of the team’s main forward as “a knife in the heart”. Youngster Tristan Caruana is also out of the equation after twisting his ankle while Adrian Pulis is doubtful. Portuguese midfielder Paulo Sereno has not been retained by the Paolites.

On the positive side, defender Ryan Camilleri is set to make his comeback from a long injury.

Marsaxlokk coach Patrick Curmi must also make do without two first-team players as captain Carlo Mamo, who is a target for Birkirkara, and Portuguese midfielder Ruben Guerreiro Gravata are suspended.

The Blues have been quite active in the first week of the January transfer window as they have acquired striker Ryan Darmanin on loan from Floriana and re-signed Florent Raimy who was part of their promotion-winning squad last season.

First round – Marsaxlokk vs Hibs 2-2.

Sliema Wanderers vs Vittoriosa Stars (tomorrow at 2 p.m., Hibs Stadium).

Sliema Wanderers and Vittoriosa Stars have their sights set on a return to winning ways.

The Blues, who went down 3-2 to Ħamrun to stay third from bottom with 11 points, are expected to give a debut to Tunisian striker Chakib Lachkham who has replaced Ivorian defender Sekou Tidiane Souare.

Mark Marlow, the Sliema coach, must cope without John Mintoff and Obinna Obiefule, both injured, while Alex Muscat is in the final stages of his rehab from a cruciate operation.

Bottom of the league with seven points, Vittoriosa know failure to win tomorrow would all but dash their already slim hopes of making the top six.

Brazilian midfielder Carlos Campagnoli is out after undergoing minor surgery while Pierre Aquilina is still injured.

Vittoriosa, who lost 1-0 to Tarxien in their last match, are keen to strengthen their squad this month. Coach Winston Muscat wants to add a foreigner and is also tracking three Maltese players.

First round – Sliema vs Vittoriosa 1-0.

Tarxien Rainbows vs Qormi (tomorrow at 4 p.m., Hibs Stadium).

Tarxien Rainbows are fancied to extend their positive run to eight matches as they seek a morale boost ahead of their clash with Valletta next week.

Coming from a 4-0 defeat to Valletta, Qormi are eyeing a strong performance and a good result to put their Championship Pool bid back on track.

The Rainbows could be without Sergio who, at the time of writing, had not returned from Brazil.

Ryan Grech is no longer on the books of Tarxien after he terminated his contract with the club by mutual consent. The 25-year-old midfielder is looking to join a new club after securing his release from the Rainbows.

The return from injury of Nigerian forward Abubakar Bello Osagie and Belgian defender Jason Vandelannoite will lift Qormi’s optimism. Coach Stephen Azzopardi is also hoping to receive the go-ahead to field new signing Josue Santos Silva as Qormi are still waiting for the Brazilian’s international transfer certificate.

Qormi are also in advanced talks to sign Portuguese midfielder Ibraimi Sani Vaz.

Captain Joseph Farrugia could be sidelined for up to six weeks after straining an ankle ligament in training and defender Roderick Sammut is out with a knee injury.

Forward Ben Camilleri is also likely to miss tomorrow’s match due to influenza.

First round – Qormi vs Tarxien 2-1.