Hibernians are assured of ending the first round of the BOV Premier League in pole position.

Seven points to the good at the top, the erstwhile imperious Paolites are widely fancied to extend their almost flawless start to the season – they have only dropped two points in 10 games – when they play Balzan (kick-off 2pm).

The Paolites are due to meet Balzan in the first of two matches scheduled for this afternoon at the Hibs Stadium but the likelihood is that these games will be postponed due to the inclement weather that hit the Maltese islands yesterday.

With second-placed Birkirkara facing Floriana in the second fixture, Hibs will be aware that a win over Balzan would send them 10 points clear, in the process augmenting the pressure on their chasers.

Hibs defender Jonathan Pearson has not recovered from the ankle problem he suffered in the 5-0 rout of Mosta last weekend.

Brazilian Marcelo Dias (knee) and Andrew Cohen (hamstring) are doubtful while young wing-back Timothy Tabone Desira is still sidelined with a knee injury.

Balzan coach Oliver Spiteri is missing two first-choice players as Nigerian midfielder Ice-Cream Osa Guobadia, sent off in the 2-0 defeat to Valletta last weekend, and Justin Grioli are suspended.

Birkirkara start as favourites to pick up the three points against Floriana who are down in ninth place after drawing five of their opening 10 league games.

Paul Zammit will have been glad with his team’s response after their defeat to Hibs as the Stripes bounced back with a 1-0 victory over Sliema on Monday.

But, Rafael Ledesma’s puerile reaction after being booked for time-wasting will have irked Zammit as the Brazilian’s sarcastic applause for referee Alan Mario Sant led to his dismissal for a second caution plus a one-match ban.

Floriana will have to be at the top of their game if they are to take something from their clash with Birkirkara. Coach Giovanni Tedesco is urging his team to adopt a fearless attitude.

“We are approaching this game with an open mind,” Tedesco said.

“We are not making any calculations but we need to tackle this challenge without fear.”

Midfielder Brooke Farrugia is suspended and Sacha Borg is still not 100 per cent fit. Promising youngster Conor Borg has just returned to training after recovering from injury.

Other matches

Naxxar Lions vs Sliema Wanderers (today at 2pm, Tedesco Stadium).

Sliema Wanderers will be looking to get back in winning groove after their narrow loss to Birkirkara.

Although the Blues have an edge over Naxxar, coach Stephen Azzopardi will surely not take his opponents lightly, moreso after the Lions snapped a nine-match winless run with a 4-0 rout of Pietà.

Italian midfielder Andrea Pisanu is out, suspended, while defender Stefano Bianciardi is still injured.

Jesmond Zerafa, the Naxxar coach, is beset by a shortage of midfielders. He has fitness concerns over Argentine Pablo Doffo, Brazilian Sidney, Nigerian Uzeh Edafe and Mattia Del Negro.

Żebbuġ Rangers vs Valletta (today at 4.15pm, Tedesco Stadium).

Champions Valletta will be bidding to win three consecutive games for the first time this season while Żebbuġ Rangers will be eyeing a repeat of their gritty performance in Monday’s derby.

Portuguese midfielder Hugo Faria, who missed the Balzan win due to suspension, is out, injured.

Alfonso Greco made a positive start to his tenure as Żebbuġ coach after his new charges produced a battling display to hold rivals Qormi to a one-all draw.

The Italian has no selection problems.

Pietà Hotspurs vs Qormi (tomorrow at 2pm, Tedesco Stadium).

Qormi, unbeaten in their last four matches, will be looking to rediscover their winning touch after their draw with Żebbuġ while Pietà will be eager to make amends for their 4-0 hiding to Naxxar.

Frank Temile is in line to return for Qormi after a hamstring problem kept him out of the derby.

Coach Josef Mansueto must change his defensive set-up after the Serb was handed a one-match ban.

Pietà coach Noel Coleiro hopes to get the all-clear to field Brazilian defender Leonardo Fortunato who has a slight ankle problem.

Dylon Agius must serve a one-match ban.

Mosta vs Tarxien Rainbows (tomorrow at 4.15pm, Tedesco Stadium).

Mosta are yet to appoint a new coach after parting ways with Italian Enrico Piccioni.

Assistant coach Peter Smith has been in charge of the team’s preparations for tomorrow’s clash with Tarxien Rainbows.

Mosta desperately need a win after five straight defeats while Tarxien have not won since their 3-1 victory over Birkirkara.

Midfielder Ryan Grech is suspended for Mosta. Dyson Falzon could be included in the squad after recovering from injury.

Tarxien players Manuel Caruana, Alvaro and Ryan Sammut have been laid low with flu this week. Coach Clive Mizzi must make do without Firas Aboulezz who has a back problem.