Sliema Wanderers vs Hibernians (today at 2pm, National Stadium).
Hibs, unbeaten after 13 games, will fancy their chances of maintaining their march at the top when they face Sliema Wanderers, still reeling from two dispiriting defeats against Floriana in the space of three days.
After brushing aside Qormi 6-0 in the league on Saturday, Hibs eased past St George’s 2-0 in the FA Trophy on Tuesday.
Branko Nisevic, the Hibs coach, is still without injured Brazilian winger Marcelo Dias but otherwise he can bank on a full squad.
Yesterday, young midfielder Johann Bezzina pledged his future to Hibs after signing a five-year contract.
A product of the Hibs nursery, Bezzina, 20, has been a regular in the first team this season.
Sliema coach Stephen Azzopardi is still without Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Alex Muscat and Andrea Pisanu, all injured, while John Mintoff is suspended after his first-half dismissal in the Trophy defeat to Floriana.
Midfielder Mark Scerri faces a late fitness test after suffering a groin injury in midweek.
First round: Hibernians vs Sliema 3-1.
Naxxar Lions vs Birkirkara (tomorrow at 2pm, Hibs Stadium).
Birkirkara take on Naxxar Lions with the sole aim of collecting the three points as they look to put their title bid back on track.
The Stripes come into this match on the back of victories over Żebbuġ Rangers (3-1) in the league and a 7-1 rout of Ħamrun Spartans in the FA Trophy.
Paul Zammit, the Birkirkara coach, has no selection problems.
After their 3-1 victory over Balzan last weekend, Naxxar Lions were brought down to earth with a bang after being knocked out of the FA Trophy following a 2-1 defeat to Division One side Melita.
Jesmond Zerafa, the Naxxar coach, is without suspended duo Pablo Doffo and Victor Bellia but Nigerian midfielder Uzeh Edafe is available after recovering from a shoulder problem.
First round: Birkirkara vs Naxxar 1-0.
Żebbuġ Rangers vs Mosta (tomorrow at 2pm, Tedesco Stadium).
Mosta start as favourites to claim their third successive victory in eight days when they meet bottom side Żebbuġ Rangers.
After beating Pietà Hotspurs 3-1 in a league match on Saturday, Mosta booked their spot in the last 16 of the FA Trophy after cruising past Senglea Athletic 6-1.
Peter Smith, the Mosta coach, is still without skipper Manolito Micallef who is nursing a muscle tear ,while Dyson Falzon and Kurt Magro must serve a one-match ban.
Żebbuġ are still in search of their first win this season after 13 matches. In midweek, they crashed out of the FA Trophy after going down 3-0 to Victoria Hotspurs.
Alfonso Greco, the Żebbuġ coach, is hoping that the club will complete the registration of Mexican defender Luis Pena Marquez as, until yesterday afternoon, his transfer certificate had not been sent to the Malta FA.
First round: Mosta vs Żebbuġ Rangers 2-0.
Balzan vs Qormi (tomorrow at 4pm, Hibs Stadium).
Balzan and Qormi will be looking to bounce back from their defeats to Naxxar and Hibernians respectively.
Both teams advanced in the FA Trophy in midweek with Balzan seeing off Kirkop 2-0 while Qormi eased past Qrendi 3-0.
Osa Ice-Cream Guobadia, Balzan’s Nigerian midfielder, is out, suspended.
Josef Mansueto, the Qormi coach, has a full complement at his disposal.
First round: Qormi vs Balzan 1-2.
Pietà Hotspurs vs Tarxien Rainbows (tomorrow at 4.15pm, Tedesco Stadium).
This is a direct clash between two struggling teams who are just one place off the bottom.
Both Pietà and Tarxien desperately need the three points to lift their spirits after some unimpressive showings.
In midweek, the Hotspurs were pushed to the limit by Division One side Pembroke before pulling off a 1-0 extra-time win in the FA Trophy.
Tarxien are in a crisis.
After a humiliating 6-0 defeat to Valletta on Saturday, their fourth defeat in the last five league games, Tarxien suffered further embarrassment on Wednesday as they were ousted from the FA Trophy following a 3-0 upset to Division One side Gudja.
Noel Coleiro, the Pietà coach, will be without midfielder Nikola Tasic, who starts a three-match ban, but Brazilian midfielder Gabriel is back after returning from a trial with a club in Malaysia.
Tarxien, on their part, are still plagued by the absence of injured trio Jorge, the Brazilian winger, defender Owen Bugeja and midfielder Firas Aboulezz.
First round: Tarxien vs Pietà 0-0.