Birkirkara will be looking to go three points clear at the top of the Premier League standings tonight when they take on Balzan at the Tedesco Stadium (kick-off: 8.15 p.m.).
The Stripes are on a good run as three wins from their last four outings have enabled them to recover lost ground and are now sharing top spot with Valletta on 26 points.
Another win today will see Paul Zammit’s men pile the pressure on the champions ahead of their match against Mosta tomorrow.
However, the Stripes’ task will be anything but easy as Balzan have been one of the most consistent sides lately.
In fact, Ivan Zammit’s men are unbeaten in their last seven matches and last week’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Ħamrun Spartans lifted them to seventh place, level on points with Tarxien Rainbows.
Balzan will also be determined to win points today as they look to maintain their charge for a second successive Championship Pool berth.
The Stripes are expected to include Rodrigo Pereira in their line-up after the Brazilian defender rejoined the club this week.
Birkirkara, however, will still be without striker Joselito. He has been out since picking an ankle injury in the first round fixture against Balzan in August.
Shola Haruna Shodiya will also skip this match.
Ivan Zammit, the Balzan coach, is boosted by the return of defender Jonathan Francica who has completed his rehabilitation from a groin injury suffered during the match against Birkirkara back in August.
Christian Caruana also returns after shrugging off ankle trouble that ruled him out of the match against Ħamrun Spartans last week.
Defender Yessous Camilleri is unavailable while veteran Stefan Giglio is ruled out as he must serve a one-match ban.
First round result: Birkirkara vs Balzan 2-1.
Bottom two clash
Melita and Rabat Ajax, the two bottom sides in the standings, have an opportunity to bridge the gap on the other relegation strugglers when they face each other in today’s opener at the Ħamrun ground (kick-off: 6 p.m.).
In August these two teams were the protagonists of a highly-exciting encounter which saw them share six goals. But today both will be looking to gain more than a point if they are to boost their hopes of avoiding the drop.
Melita will have coach Patxi Salinas back on the bench after suspension.
The Spaniard will be without the team’s chief scorer Jose Luis Armaro Negrin, suspended, while Michael Martin is still out with a foot injury.
This week, Rabat parted with German midfielder Heiner Backhaus.
Striker Nerjus Astrauskas will undergo a late fitness test before coach Silvio Vella decides his team.
First round result: Rabat vs Melita 3-3.