Anything less than three points in tonight’s clash with Rabat would spell doom and gloom for Melita.

Six points adrift of safety, Melita need a miracle to avoid relegation as, at best, they can force a decider if they win their remaining two matches and their rivals drop points.

While Melita are facing a mammoth task to resurrect their slender hopes, Rabat will make a significant step towards safety if they overcome the Amateurs.

A win would move the Magpies on the 19-point mark, in the process raising the pressure on second-from-bottom Ħamrun ahead of their clash with Floriana on Sunday.

Judging by recent form, Rabat look to have an edge over Melita after taking seven points from their last five games to their opponents’ two.

Defender Ivan Carapic, rested in last week’s 2-1 loss to Floriana, is set to replace the suspended Justin Felice. Coach Silvio Vella is also expected to hand a first-team recall to goalkeeper Sean Mintoff who missed the Floriana game due to illness.

Melita coach Patxi Salinas, who returns to the dug-out after serving a one-match touchline ban, must make do without Matthew Borg, Nigel Rizzo and Jean Pierre Attard, all suspended.

On the positive side, Karl Vella Petroni and Manuel Ramon Sierra Camacho are available after seeing out a one-match ban.

Today’s opening match at the Hibs Stadium is of academic im-portance as both Qormi and Bal-zan are safe, the latter making sure of their top-flight status after their 2-1 win over Melita.

Qormi, who hammered rivals Ħamrun Spartans 6-2 in their last outing, will be without defender Roderick Sammut, suspended, while Luke Sciberras and Matthew Gauci are expected to miss out because of injuries.

For this match, Balzan will be without midfielders Firas Abou-lezz, who is suspended, and Dylan Grima, injured.

Previous results

Qormi vs Balzan - 1-2, 1-2, 4-4.
Rabat vs Melita - 3-3, 0-0, 2-2.

Programme

Today (Hibs Stadium 6pm): Qormi vs Balzan; 8pm Melita vs Rabat.

Tomorrow (National Stadium 3pm): Tarxien vs Sliema; 5pm Birkir-kara vs Valletta.

Sunday (National Stadium 3pm): Floriana vs Ħamrun; 5pm Hibs vs Mosta.

Division One

Today (Centenary Stadium 6pm): Gudja vs St Andrew’s; 8pm Marsa-xlokk vs Dingli Swallows.

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