Naxxar Lions vs Tarxien Rainbows (today at 2pm, Hibernians Stadium).
These two teams have experienced contrasting fortunes in the last few weeks.
While Naxxar Lions are on the rise and on a high after their 2-1 win in the derby, Tarxien have fallen to second from bottom after the 2-1 defeat to Żebbuġ Rangers extended their winless run to eight games in the league.
Jesmond Zerafa, the Naxxar Lions coach, can pick his team from a full squad.
Tarxien are desperate for the three points to boost their flagging spirits. The Rainbows are expected to make a few changes during the January transfer window as most of their foreigners have failed to make an impact.
For today’s game, coach Clive Mizzi welcomes back defender Owen Bugeja and midfielder Firas Aboulezz.
First round: Tarxien vs Naxxar Lions 2-1.
Żebbuġ Rangers vs Floriana (today at 2pm, Tedesco Stadium).
Żebbuġ Rangers will be striving to keep the momentum going after recording their first Premier League win last weekend while Floriana are determined to improve their position in the standings going into the Christmas break.
Alfonso Greco, the Żebbuġ coach, is expected to stick with the team that started the 2-1 defeat of Tarxien last weekend.
Rangers have reportedly parted ways with Clifford Gauci. They are interested in signing Italian midfielder Paltemio Barbetti who is in discussions to terminate his contract with Sliema Wanderers.
Floriana coach Giovanni Tedesco will doubtless urge his team to step up their game after the Greens failed to shine in the 1-1 draw against Pietà Hotspurs.
Midfielder Clyde Borg and wing-back Sacha Borg are out, suspended, but Sene-galese winger Amadou Samb returns after serving a one-match ban.
First round: Żebbuġ vs Floriana 3-3.
Pietà Hotspurs vs Hibernians (today at 4pm, Hibernians Stadium).
Unbeaten Hibernians are widely fancied to make it 15 wins in 16 matches but they will be wary of Pietà Hotspurs who have shown their best against the top teams this season, upsetting both Valletta and Birkirkara.
The Paolites are in buoyant mood after their success over Valletta last weekend.
Brazilian wing-back Marcelo Dias must serve a one-match ban but otherwise coach Branko Nisevc has no selection problems.
Pietà coach Noel Coleiro will have to watch the game from the stands after being hit with a six-month ban in midweek over his alter-cation with Floriana winger Steve Pisani.
Young midfielder Terence Agius is out for the Hotspurs, suspended.
First round: Hibernians vs Pietà 3-1.
Balzan vs Mosta (today at 4.15pm, Tedesco Stadium).
A direct encounter between two teams aiming to finish in the top five this season.
At present, Mosta lead Balzan by one point after both teams suffered a dip in form following an encouraging start.
Balzan will have been uplifted by their disciplined showing in the goalless stalemate against Birkirkara last weekend.
Striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza has been struggling with a minor injury but he is expected to recover.
Balzan coach Oliver Spiteri has no other injury worries.
Peter Smith, the Mosta coach, has several players missing as Manolito Micallef and Daniel Mariano Bueno are injured and midfielder Ryan Grech is suspended.
On the plus side, defender Tyrone Farrugia is back in the frame after suspension.
First round: Mosta vs Balzan 1-0.
Birkirkara vs Qormi (tomorrow at 2pm, National Stadium).
Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit will surely demand an improved performance from his team after a 0-0 draw against Balzan.
The Stripes need a win to make sure of ending the year in second place, a position they share with Valletta on 28 points.
Their task is not helped by the absence of two midfielders as Paul Fenech and Ryan Scicluna are both suspended.
Zammit also has concerns over keeper Justin Haber, Zach Muscat and Shola Shodiya Haruna who picked up injuries in the last game. Matheus Bissi is back from a ban.
Qormi are going through a negative spell as their 3-1 defeat to Sliema Wanderers was their sixth match without a win.
The return of defenders Maurizio Mazzetti and Zoran Levnaic and midfielder Bjorn Bondin, who were all suspended for the Sliema game, is a boost for Qormi coach Josef Mansueto.
Defender Roderick Sammut is doubtful.
First round: Birkirkara vs Qormi 2-0.