Floriana vs Naxxar Lions (today at 2pm, National Stadium) – A tight match lies in prospect as only four points separate Floriana and Naxxar Lions.
Greens coach Giovanni Tedesco will have to make at least two changes to his starting formation. Defender Andre Scicluna is set to miss out after picking up a knee injury in his team’s 4-1 win over Żebbuġ Rangers while striker Amadou Samb is suspended.
Naxxar coach Jesmond Zerafa has strengthened his ranks with the acquisition of Jorge, formerly of Tarxien, and Ghanaian midfielder Albert Bruce from Qormi.
With the local transfer window opening on Monday, Jorge is ineligible to play today but Bruce could be involved as he has been signed on an amateur status.
The Lions will be without defender Angus Buhagiar, suspended for one match.
First round: Naxxar Lions vs Floriana 1-1.
Qormi vs Valletta (today at 4pm, National Stadium) – Valletta will be looking to begin the year with victory over Qormi.
The Whites cannot afford to drop points to keep hold of second spot even though they must make do withoutRoderick Briffa and Jonathan Caruana, suspended, and Shaun Bajada who has a foot injury.
Goalkeepers Yenz Cini and Manuel Bartolo have been loaned out to Gudja and Żebbuġ respectively while City coach Ivan Zammit is expected to run the rule over a host of foreigners in the coming weeks.
Josef Mansueto has his fair share of selection problems.
The Qormi coach has lost two foreign players as Brazilian midfielder Anderson was released while Bruce joined Naxxar. Emerson Vella must serve a one-match ban.
Qormi are currently giving a trial to two Brazilian midfielders – Paulinho and Marcelinho.
First round: Valletta vs Qormi 4-0.
Mosta vs Birkirkara (tomorrow at 2pm, Hibs Stadium) – Birkirkara must beat Mosta if they are to avoid falling further behind in the title race.
The Stripes ended 2014 on a positive note after winning three of their last four fixtures to move up to second place, level with Valletta but well adrift of leaders Hibs.
Coach Paul Zammit is looking to bring in reinforcements this month after offloading Ukrainian striker Vyacheslav Shevchenko.
Birkirkara are being linked with a move for Qormi defender Maurizio Latini Mazzetti but no agreement has been reached so far.
Tomorrow, Mosta will be without defender Tyrone Farrugia and midfielder Pedrinho, both suspended, while striker Bojan Kaljevic is no longer available after his move to Balzan last month.
The Blues remain hopeful of having skipper Manolito Micallef back after he missed the last four matches through injury.
First round: Birkirkara vs Mosta 2-0.
Hibernians vs Żebbuġ Rangers (tomorrow at 4pm, Hibs Stadium) – Hibernians are hot favourites to extend their impressive winning run into the New Year when they take on lowly Żebbuġ Rangers.
The Paolites have been in imperious form, winning their last eight matches and should prove too strong for the Rangers.
Hibs will be without midfielder Bjorn Kristensen, suspended, but winger Marcelo Dias is expected to recover from an ankle injury.
Żebbuġ have already parted ways with Brazilian goalkeeper Fabricio Rapchan. Serbian duo Matko Randic and Bojan Mamic, and Luis Pena, the Mexican defender, have also been released.
Rangers have agreed terms with Italian midfielder Paltemio Barbetti, midfielder Kurt Zammit and English forward Rashid Yussuff.
However, all three are ineligible to play against Hibs tomorrow as their registration will only be completed next week.
First round: Żebbuġ vs Hibs 0-4.
Tarxien Rainbows vs Balzan (tomorrow at 4.15pm, Tedesco Stadium) – Terrence Agius is expected to make his first appearance for Balzan as the Reds face Tarxien.
As the 20-year-old has been registered on amateur forms after joining Balzan from Pietà, he is eligible to turn out for his new club tomorrow.
However, Balzan will be without Edison Zarate and Oscar Guerrero, both suspended, while new signing Kaljevic, who last week received a three-match ban following his red card in the match against, ironically, Balzan, must wait for his debut.
Balzan coach Oliver Spiteri is set to give a trial to an Italian midfielder who was previously on the books of Torino.
Tarxien go into this match without a recognised striker after the club decided to release all their Brazilian forwards. Moreover, midfielder Carlos Hevia is suspended.
The Rainbows have two Spanish players on trial but they have not been offered a contract yet.
First round: Balzan vs Tarxien 3-2.