Derbies are usually tense, nailbiting affairs and tomorrow’s clash between Naxxar Lions and Mosta at the National Stadium is unlikely to be any different.

Back-to-back defeats have augmented the pressure on the Lions ahead of the derby as another slip-up would further jeopardise their Championship Pool hopes, what with the Lions now only two points clear of Balzan.

Naxxar coach Winston Muscat admitted that the Mosta clash has become a must-win game for his team even though he is hoping for a favourable result in the Balzan-Tarxien match this afternoon.

“It has become crucial for us but we still have to wait for the outcome of Balzan’s game against Tarxien,” Muscat said.

“Tarxien need points in their fight against relegation.

“My wish was for us to approach the derby without added pressure but that is not the case after we lost our last two league games.

“On the other hand, we are hungry for the points and that should increase the players’ motivation to win this game.”

Although top-six football remains the chief objective for Muscat, he is well aware of the importance of this match against the cross-town rivals in the eyes of the supporters.

Muscat said: “It’s an important match in our quest to be in the Championship Pool but there’s the added motivation of it being a derby.

“Mosta beat us in the first round and we will try to avenge that.

“We were doing very well up to a few weeks ago but the loss of Evaldo, Pablo Doffo and Marlon Briffa disrupted our momentum.

“New players need time to settle but I hope we raise our game in the next matches.”

Muscat’s midfield resources have been boosted by the signing of Nigerian Raimi Bakare.

Angus Buhagiar and Daren Falzon have been down with ’flu.

Mosta have had a tranquil build-up for this match after sealing a Championship Pool berth with two games to spare. However, the Blues will be eager to retain bragging rights over the Lions.

Mosta coach Enrico Piccioni has called for a smart approach from his team.

“The Championship Pool was our top target,” he said.

“It was important for us to make the top six and we have done it.

“Our next game is very important because it’s the derby but there is more pressure on Naxxar as they’re not there yet.

“We’re aware of that and we have to play with intelligence, safe in the knowledge that we have already attained our goal.”

Piccioni’s options have been weakened by the injury suffered by striker Bojan Kaljevic in the win over Qormi.

Gianmarco Piccioni, the coach’s son, must serve the second of a two-match ban.

Wing-back Dyson Falzon is out but Mosta have added three players to their fold this week – Japanese Taume Taheda, Italian defender Antonio Carrozza and Ian Zammit who joined from Valletta until the end of the season.

First round: Mosta vs Naxxar 4-2.

Muscat’s Stars debut

Rabat Ajax vs Vittoriosa Stars (today 14.00, Centenary Stadium).

Relegation candidates Vittoriosa Stars and Rabat Ajax cannot afford to drop points with the former team starting favourites this afternoon.

Vittoriosa underlined their intent to step up their fight against relegation after agreeing a deal to take Mario Muscat on loan from Hibs.

The signing of an experienced goalkeeper like Muscat, who has been Hibs’ no.1 for the past two decades, is something of a coup for coach Oliver Spiteri who is also boosted by the return of left-back Karl Sammut who has just completed a two-year doping ban.

Rabat were inactive in the January transfer window.

For today’s match, coach Steve D’Amato will again be without midfielder Daniel Pelaez while striker Ryan Micallef is doubtful.

Young winger Aidan Azzopardi is available after serving a ban.

First round: Vittoriosa Stars vs Rabat Ajax 1-0.

Hibs vs Qormi (today 14.00, Hibernians Stadium).

After snapping a two-match losing run, Hibs will be looking to stay on the winning track today.

Hibs midfielder Bjorn Kristensen will complete his ban today while Clayton Failla is out for two more matches.

Qormi, who threw away a 2-0 lead in a 3-2 defeat to Mosta last week, will be without defender Owen Bugeja and midfielder Triston Caruana, both suspended.

Yesterday, Qormi signed a striker from Ivory Coast, Mohammed Bance, and Italian midfielder Giorgio Gianola on loan from Renate.

First round: Hibs vs Qormi 4-1.

Sliema vs Floriana (today 16.00, Hibernians Stadium).

Sliema Wanderers and Floriana are heading in opposite directions.

While the Blues are challenging for the top positions, Floriana are effectively out of the running for the Championship Pool after a poor run of four consecutive defeats.

Sliema have signed defender Kane Farrugia on loan from Mosta.

Floriana must cope without striker Steve Pisani, injured, while Christian Caruana has a 50-50 chance of recovering from a knock.

Midfielder Giacomo Favero has left Floriana who have signed striker Roland Emeka on loan from St George’s.

First round: Sliema Wanderers vs Floriana 1-0.

Balzan vs Tarxien (today 16.15, Centenary Stadium).

Three wins in row have revived Balzan’s top-six hopes.

Today, the Reds will be looking to increase the pressure on Naxxar as a win over Tarxien would lift them to one point above the Lions.

Balzan coach Jesmond Zerafa is not expected to make changes from the team that started the 1-0 victory over Naxxar.

Tarxien are expected to give a debut to striker Demba Toure who joined the club from Birkirkara in exchange for Brazilian Ronaille.

Carlo Mamo is back in the fray after suspension.

First round: Tarxien vs Balzan 3-1.