Ħamrun Spartans will be seeking to restore some pride when they take on Mqabba this evening at the Tedesco Stadium (kick-off 7.30 p.m.).

The Spartans’ shambolic display in their 5-3 reverse to fellow strugglers Marsaxlokk last weekend has brought gloom for Jesmond Zammit’s team who, only a week earlier, had earned praise all-round for a solid per-formance in the 1-1 draw with Hibernians.

Second from bottom with only eight points from 10 games, Ħamrun are under mounting pressure to improve per-formances and results in order to revive their top-six challenge.

But their task this evening promises to be anything but easy as Mqabba have quickly earned a reputation as an organised, tough-to-beat side after winning promotion from Division One last season.

After gaining their first point in three matches in a 1-1 draw with Mosta, Mqabba will be looking to get back to winning ways today, knowing that victory would take them six points clear of the Spartans.

The return from suspension of influential Serbian striker Bojan Mamic should lift Mqabba’s spirits but, on the downside, Marlon Briffa is out with ham-string trouble.

Coach Clive Mizzi must also cope without Pierre Grima who could be out for up to four weeks with a broken toe.

Grima was handed a one-match ban by the Malta FA Disciplinary Commissioner yes-terday after collecting his fourth yellow card in the game against Mosta.

Jesmond Zammit, the Ħamrun Spartans coach, is expected to ring the changes after the Marsa-xlokk debacle.

Defender Roderick Fenech is a long-term injury absentee after undergoing a cruciate operation while experienced goalkeeper Omar Borg is still doubtful.

Suspensions

Balzan Youths defender Clifton Ciantar was handed a two-match suspension yesterday following his dismissal in the 2-0 defeat to Valletta.

Ciantar was given a straight red card for a late, sliding tackle on Valletta’s Jonathan Caruana in the first half of Balzan’s game against the champions.

Mosta midfielder Kurt Magro, Sliema defender Josef Mifsud and Caio Garcia Suguino, the Tarxien playmaker, received a one-match ban for four yellow cards.

Programme

Today (Tedesco Stadium)
19.30 Mqabba vs Ħamrun

Tomorrow (Tedesco Stadium)
18.00 Birkirkara vs Balzan
20.15 Mosta vs Floriana

Saturday (Hibs Stadium)
14.00 Sliema vs Tarxien
16.00 Hibs vs Qormi

Sunday (Tedesco Stadium)
15.00 Marsaxlokk vs Valletta