Rival teams need no extra motivation when they go head-to-head but tomorrow’s derby between Hibs and Tarxien has taken on added significance.

The stakes are high for Hibs as a win would ensure that they start the Championship Pool on top.

Such scenario looked improb-able last week after Hibs slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Floriana but, with Valletta spurning the chance to open a four-point gap at the top after a 1-1 draw with Balzan, the Paolites received another massive boost on Thursday after the MFA upheld their protest against the result of the Floriana game.

The decision to award victory to Hibs, after Harry Agombar was deemed to have been ineligible to play for the Greens, sent the Paolites one point clear of Valletta at the top with only one game to go before the end of the first phase.

“We prefer to win points on the field than on the table,” Hibs coach Michael Woods said.

“But there are rules and they have to be respected. There’s no disputing the fact that it’s a bonus for us because we are now leading the table.”

Woods stressed that Hibs must improve on their below-par showing against Floriana when they take on their in-form neighbours.

“It’s the team performance that matters,” Woods said.

“In the first 20 minutes, Floriana were better but we improved. We need to address certain aspects of our game. There were moments when we kept possession for too long and others when we lost our tactical discipline. We need to be more consistent.”

While acknowledging that top spot at the end of the first phase would give Hibs an advantage, Woods insisted that the title race will only be decided in May.

“In a way, it’s an advantage (to finish top) because you play the first Championship Pool game against the sixth-placed team,” Woods said.

“A win would also increase our points tally but the title issue will be settled towards the end of the season.”

Woods doesn’t have a full squad as Clayton Failla and Zoran Levnaic are suspended. Defender Rodolfo Soares is out with an abdominal problem but Adrian Pulis returns after a bout of flu. Jonathan Pearson is also available after a long lay-off.

Knowledge that only a win would yield an extra point after tallies are halved ought to further strengthen Tarxien’s determination.

Clive Mizzi, the Tarxien coach, said: “We need to win to gain another point at the start of the Championship Pool but we must raise our levels because we didn’t play well against Rabat. We were too casual and we can’t afford that if we are to challenge for a place in Europe.

“This is a derby and the rivalry means that motivation will not be lacking on both sides. For us, the result is very important.”

Tarxien will have playmaker Andrezinho available after serving suspension but Orosco Anonam is still down with hamstring trouble.

Mizzi is also concerned about the fitness of defender Branislav Timotic but Steve Bonnici and Roderick Bajada should return for the Rainbows.

First round: Tarxien vs Hibs 2-2.

The other matches

Melita vs Qormi (today 2pm, Tedesco Stadium).

Melita and Qormi are coming from defeats to Mosta and Birkirkara respectively.

A win for Melita would lift them above Ħamrun before the latter’s clash with Birkirkara next Wednes-day while Qormi will pile the pressure on Balzan if they take the three points.

Andrew Caruana Scicluna received a one-match ban after his sending-off against Mosta but otherwise Melita coach Patxi Salinas has no selection problems.

The Reds are buoyed by the return of playmaker Julian Galea who was sidelined with a broken arm.

Qormi coach Jesmond Zerafa must make do without striker Alfred Effiong and Jonathan Bondin, both suspended.

First round: Melita-Qormi 3-2.

Sliema vs Balzan (today 4.15pm, Tedesco Stadium).

After securing a Championship Pool place, Sliema will be looking to consolidate their position in the table when they meet Balzan. The latter are on a high after holding Valletta to a 1-1 draw.

Sliema duo Clifford Gatt Baldacchino and Mark Scerri are out after being handed a one-match ban but Luigi Ruggiero and Stefano Bianciardi are back in the frame after serving suspension.

Luca Martinelli and Andrew Decesare could miss the match for Sliema because of injuries.

Balzan have their fair share of selection problems. Coach Ivan Zammit, who will begin a two-match touchline ban, must cope without a host of key players.

Renato Conceicao and Bjorn Bondin are suspended while Pedro, Renie Forace and new signing Elie Moises are struggling with injuries.

First round: Balzan-Sliema 1-0.

Rabat vs Mosta (tomorrow at 2pm, Hibs Stadium).

Without a win in 21 league games, Rabat Ajax are desperate to break their duck while Mosta will be seeking to end their first-phase commitments on a winning note.

Apart from long-term injury absentees Adam Smeir, Ryan Micallef and Chris Schembri, Rabat can bank on a full squad.

Mosta must make at least one change from the team that defeated Melita 3-1 as midfielder Carlos Campagnoli is out, suspended.

First round: Mosta-Rabat 2-0.

Marcelo Dias, of Hibs, loses his balance after a tackle from Tarxien’s Steve Sadowski.

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