Naxxar Lions vs Qormi (today at 4pm, Hibernians Stadium).

Level at the top of the Relegation Pool on 23 points, Naxxar Lions and Qormi will effectively secure their Premier League status if they emerge victorious from their direct clash.

Both are on a high as Naxxar beat Tarxien 1-0 in their last outing and Qormi were 3-1 winners over relegated side Rabat Ajax.

Brazilian forward Gilmar is back for Naxxar after missing the Tarxien game through suspension but coach Winston Muscat has fitness doubts over midfielders Andre Rocha da Silva and Raimi Bakare.

Making a return for Qormi are midfielders Simone Quintieri and Gabriel who have served a one-match ban.

Previous results: Naxxar vs Qormi 2-1, 1-3, 1-5.

Rabat Ajax vs Vittoriosa Stars (today at 4pm, Tedesco Stadium).

With Rabat Ajax already doomed, Vittoriosa Stars are widely fancied to win this game and keep their hopes of evading the drop alive.

The Reds from Cottonera resurrected their survival hopes with a 2-1 win over Floriana last weekend.

Coach Oliver Spiteri must make two changes from the last game as Portuguese Filipe Aguiar and Italian player Leonardo Torri, both midfielders, are suspended.

Gilbert Martin was expected to undergo a fitness test yesterday but the nimble winger’s chances of getting the all-clear to play look good.

Rabat are aiming to make a dignified exit from the top flight. Their injury problems have eased this week as striker Ryan Micallef has recovered full fitness and Adam Smeir could make the squad while midfielder Joseph Caruana returns from suspension.

Dylan Falzon, Daniel Pelaez, Sacha Cortis and reserve goalkeeper Jonathan Azzopardi are still sidelined with injuries.

Previous results: Vittoriosa vs Rabat 1-0, 1-0, 3-1.

Tarxien Rainbows vs Floriana (today at 6.15pm, Tedesco Stadium).

Thrown in at the deep end with Floriana only three points above the relegation zone, new coach Giovanni Tedesco hopes to make an instant impact as the troubled Greens look to get back to winning ways after back-to-back defeats.

The same goes for Tarxien Rainbows who lost to Naxxar in their last outing.

Midfielder Clyde Borg is suspended for Floriana but otherwise Tedesco has no selection problems.

Tarxien coach Clive Mizzi is expected to have a full squad at his disposal as Carlo Mamo and Karl Pulo are available after serving a one-match ban.

Previous results: Tarxien vs Floriana 2-1, 1-3, 3-0.

Balzan vs Hibernians (tomorrow at 4pm, National Stadium).

Balzan raised their morale last weekend after ending a seven-match losing run with a last-gasp 1-0 win over Sliema Wanderers, their first in the Championship Pool.

Hibs turned in a lively performance despite going down 3-2 to Valletta.

Jesmond Zerafa, the Balzan coach, has a host of key players missing as Justin Grioli and Fabio Vignaroli are suspended while Luke Sciberras and Mark Spiteri are injured.

Striker Ryan Darmanin is ranked doubtful as he is nursing a hamstring injury.

Hibs defender Jonathan Pearson is in line for a first-team recall after suspension kept him out of the defeat to Valletta.

Scott Chircop is out with a knee problem and goalkeeper Jurgen Borg is in the final stages of his recovery from a knee injury.

Previous results: Hibs vs Balzan 1-0, 2-0, 4-2.

Birkirkara vs Sliema Wanderers (tomorrow at 6pm, National Stadium).

Sliema Wanderers’ task is not helped by the absence of four players, all suspended, but leaders Birkirkara also have their fair share of selection problems.

Apart from left-back Joseph Zerafa, who will serve the second of a two-match ban, Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit is expected to be without captain Gareth Sciberras, who is struggling with an adductor problem, Spanish defender Alejandro Mendoza (hamstring), and Daniel Zerafa (ankle).

Serbian defender Nikola Vukanac (ankle) and midfielder Ryan Scicluna (muscle strain) are facing a race against time to prove their fitness while Edward Herrera is doubtful after picking up a muscle injury in the 4-0 win over Mosta.

Sliema’s problems stem from the suspensions of Paltemio Barbetti, Admir Vladavic, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino and Beppe Muscat but on the plus side Mark Scerri should start after completing his rehabilitation from injury.

Previous results: Birkirkara vs Sliema 1-1, 3-1, 3-1.

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