Floriana vs Pietà Hotspurs (today at 2pm, Hibs Stadium).

The tight situation in the bottom half of the standings has ramped up the pressure on teams to get more points on board as the second round gathers momentum.

It says all about the equilibrium between the teams that Floriana, currently sharing sixth spot with Qormi on 17 points, are only four clear of second-bottom Pietà going into their second-round meeting.

Floriana will be looking to bounce back from their 4-1 rout to rivals Valletta while the Hotspurs will be aiming to return to winning form after taking only one point from their last two outings.

Winger Amadou Samb is suspended for Floriana who are still without injured goalkeeper Valerio Senatore.

Pietà’s Nikola Tasic has appealed his three-match ban but the Serbian is still expected to miss today’s match.

Otherwise, the Hotspurs have no selection problems with Gabriel in line for a first-team recall after a second-half substitute showing in the goalless draw against Tarxien. The Brazilian returned from a trial in Malaysia last week.

First round: Floriana-Pietà Hotspurs 3-1.

Tarxien Rainbows vs Żebbuġ Rangers (today at 2pm, Tedesco Stadium).

A must-win clash for these relegation strugglers.

Tarxien have slipped to 11th after going seven matches without a win while Żebbuġ are still without a victory after 14 matches.

Tarxien’s Owen Bugeja has resumed training but the defender is not yet 100 per cent fit to play.

Midfielder Firas Aboulezz is still sidelined with a back problem but, on the plus side, coach Clive Mizzi can bank on Jorge who has re-gained full fitness.

The absence of Carlo Monti, suspended, is a setback for Rangers but otherwise coach Alfonso Greco can rely on a full squad.

First round: Żebbuġ Rangers-Tarxien Rainbows 3-3.

Mosta vs Naxxar Lions (today at 4pm, Hibs Stadium).

The rivalry between Mosta and Naxxar Lions is one of the fiercest in the championship.

With the fans’ excitement soaring to fever-pitch levels before derby games, Mosta and Naxxar will be eager to give their supporters an early Christmas present by emerging on top this afternoon.

Mosta will be all out to strengthen their grip on fourth place while the Lions need a win to stay clear of the red zone.

Peter Smith, the Mosta coach, can’t field his strongest formation as defender Tyrone Farrugia must serve a one-match ban and captain Manolito Micallef is still sidelined with injury.

Striker Daniel Mariano Bueno is ranked doubtful.

Naxxar coach Jesmond Zerafa has no selection worries. Victor Bellia and Pablo Doffo are back from suspension while midfielder David Fenech has resumed training after a lengthy lay-off.

First round: Mosta-Naxxar Lions 1-1.

Birkirkara vs Balzan (today at 4.15pm, Tedesco Stadium).

With Hibs and Valletta facing each other tomorrow, this is a chance for Birkirkara to turn up a semblance of pressure on the front duo, especially the Citizens who are one point ahead of the Stripes.

Birkirkara, who have won two games in a row after their reverse to Pietà, will also be motivated by the prospect of atoning for their 3-2 upset to Balzan in the first round.

Matheus Bissi is out for Birkirkara after receiving a one-match ban while Nikola Vukanac was due to undergo a fitness test yesterday.

After a flying start to the season, Balzan have hit a rocky patch.

Today, they will be looking to halt a nine-match winless run that has seen Balzan slip to fifth in the table.

Coach Oliver Spiteri welcomes back Osa Ice Cream Guobadia after the Nigerian missed the 1-1 draw against Qormi through suspension.

Clive Brincat is also available after recovering from the injury he suffered in the warm-up before last weekend’s draw with Qormi but Samir Arab is suspended.

First round: Balzan-Birkirkara 3-2.

Qormi vs Sliema Wanderers (tomorrow at 2pm, National Stadium).

The stakes are high for Qormi and Sliema who are separated by only one point in the table.

Both will be aware that a win would steer them clear of the relegation strugglers but a defeat would leave the two sides hovering dangerously near the drop zone.

Qormi coach Josef Mansueto is hampered by a shortage of defenders as Maurizio Mazzetti and Zoran Levnaic are suspended along with Bjorn Bondin, who usually plays in a holding midfield role.

Not that the Wanderers are in a better position.

Fabio Mangiacasale must serve a one-match ban while Michael Mifsud faces a long spell on the sidelines after fracturing his fibula.

Stephen Azzopardi, the Sliema coach, was hoping to include Alex Muscat in his squad but the wing-back is not yet ready to make a comeback from cruciate surgery.

Mark Scerri (groin), Clifford Gatt Baldacchino (quad) and Andrea Pisanu (knee) are doubtful while defender Andrea Scozzese is suffering from muscle fatigue after three games in eight days.

First round: Qormi-Sliema 0-0.