[attach id=371716 size="medium"]Birkirkara’s Ryan Scicluna (left) holds off Mosta’s Manolito Micallef during Sunday’s clash. Photo: Paul Zammit Cutajar[/attach]

Title hopefuls Hibs, Birkirkara and Valletta are expected to maintain their winning momentum heading into the international break.

Hibs will be pursuing their seventh win from as many games when they meet struggling Naxxar Lions tomorrow while Birkirkara and Valletta are also seen as favourites to collect maximum points from their clashes with Tarxien and Pietà respectively.

Tarxien Rainbows vs Birkirkara (today 18.00, National Stadium).

The Stripes provided further evidence of their improving form on Sunday when they inflicted the first defeat on Mosta.

Captain Gareth Sciberras and wing-back Ryan Camenzuli are still sidelined for Birkirkara as Matheus Bissi and Paul Fenech picked up heavy knocks in the 2-0 win over Mosta.

Liliu has a calf problem but the Brazilian is expected to declare himself fit to play this evening.

Tarxien are still reeling from their last-gasp 3-2 defeat to Balzan.

To compound their woes, midfielder Carlos Hevia Menendez has been slapped with a three-match ban following his red card at the end of Saturday’s match.

Midfielder Manuel Caruana sustained a pelvis injury against Balzan while Jorge is unlikely to start due to a hamstring problem.

Valletta vs Pietà Hotspurs (today 20.00, National Stadium).

Valletta coach Gilbert Agius is not expected to make big changes from the 4-0 victory over Qormi but Lateef Elford-Alliyu could miss out after picking up a knock.

Hugo Faria has been unwell but Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Christian Caruana, Abdel-karim Nafti and Ian Zammit have all returned to training.

Pietà, bottom of the table with only one point, need to raise their game if they are to stand a chance of gaining something from their clash with the champions.

Coach Noel Coleiro, who felt that a series of refereeing decisions in the 2-0 loss to Sliema penalised his team unjustly, has no fresh injury concerns with striker Malcolm Licari now nearing the end of his rehabilitation from a knee injury.

Sliema vs Żebbuġ (today 18.00, Tedesco Stadium).

Sliema Wanderers will be going all out to chalk up their second win when they meet second-bottom Żebbuġ Rangers

Alex Muscat is still recovering after surgery on cruciate ligaments but otherwise coach Alfonso Greco can bank on a full squad.

Without a win from their first six games, Żebbuġ are also likely to view their match with the Blues as a chance to break their duck.

Coach Jesmond Zammit also has a full squad his disposal.

Qormi vs Mosta (today 20.15, Tedesco Stadium).

Mosta will be keen to show that their loss to Birkirkara has not punctured their confidence.

They will be without chief striker Bojan Kaljevic, who has been given a one-match ban for four cautions. Keeper Omar Borg is still recupera-ting from groin trouble.

Qormi are desperate for a victory after taking only one point from their last five games. Under Josef Mansueto, Qormi are playing good football but they are not making the most of their chances.

Defender Roderick Sammut is doubtful after twisting his ankle in the 4-0 loss to Valletta and Ryan Micallef could also miss out.

Emerson Vella and Mauricio Mazzetti are set to return after regaining full fitness.

Floriana vs Balzan (tomorrow 18.00, National Stadium).

Having dropped four points in their last two matches, Floriana will be bidding to return to winning form but theirs will be no easy task as they will be up against a Balzan team who have made an impressive start to the season.

Floriana coach Giovanni Tedesco was due to check on the fitness of Steven Bonnici yesterday after the defender picked up a knock in the 1-1 draw against Naxxar Lions.

Tedesco is expected to name promising youngster Conor Borg, who played for Chievo’s youth team last season, in his squad.

Balzan are on a high after their 3-2 win over Tarxien took them to third place on the 13-point mark.

Coach Oliver Spiteri is expected to pick the same team that started last Saturday’s game.

Hibernians vs Naxxar Lions (tomorrow 20.00, National Stadium).

Hibernians look to carry too much ammunition for a Naxxar side that only have three points from their first six games.

Coach Branko Nisevic can name his strongest formation as Hibs chase their seven straight victory.

The Lions have strengthened their midfield options with the signing of Nigerian midfielder Uzeh Edafe who played for Valletta and Hibernians in the past.

Edafe’s arrival should ease the selection problems facing coach Winston Muscat after Angus Buhagiar was handed a two-match ban for his red card against Floriana and Pablo Doffo joined David Fenech, Kurt Drago and Sidney on the list of injured players.

Current standings

  P W D L F A Pts
Hibernians 6 6 0 0 17 4 18
Birkirkara 6 5 0 1 13 4 15
Balzan 6 4 1 1 13 9 13
Mosta 6 4 1 1 6 3 13
Valletta 6 3 1 2 12 3 10
Tarxien R. 6 1 4 1 8 8 7
Floriana 6 1 3 2 8 11 6
Sliema W.  6 1 3 2 5 10 6
Qormi 6 1 1 4 3 10 4
Naxxar L. 6 0 3 3 4 7 3
Żebbuġ R.  6 0 2 4 8 20 2
Pietà H. 6 0 1 5 3 11 1

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