Tarxien Rainbows vs Mosta (today at 2pm, Hibernians Stadium).

Tarxien coach Clive Mizzi will be hoping that the new signings will give his team a much-needed push in their fight against the drop.

The Rainbows yesterday filed the registration documents of three Spanish players, striker Eduardo Vallecillo and defenders Manuel Alevedo and Jose Pereira.

Brazilian centre-half Alessandro Lopes has been released by Tarxien who also have Owen Bugeja on the sidelines.

Mosta coach Peter Smith is not expected to make many changes from the 3-1 win over Qormi. Serbian midfielder Nemanja Milovanovic is back in the fray after serving a one-match ban but regular goalkeeper Omar Borg is suspended.

Defender Mark Brincat is doubtful.

First round: Mosta vs Tarxien 2-1.

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

This is a delicate game for two teams who are languishing in the bottom half of the standings.

Sliema will be bidding to bounce back from their upset to Żebbuġ while Naxxar have lost three in a row. Both teams will hope that the new arrivals make an instant impact.

Stephen Azzopardi, the Sliema coach, is expected to give a debut to Brazilian playmaker Pedrinho. The Blues yesterday acquired midfielder Joseph Borg, who was on the books of Floriana, and reached an agreement with Division One side St George’s to sign Nigerian forward Wisdom Ifeyani on loan until the end of the season.

Italian defender Stefano Bianciardi, back from suspension, comes in as a direct replacement for fellow countryman Andrea Scozzese who was banned for one game after his dismissal against Żebbuġ.

Striker Michael Mifsud is still out with a shin injury and midfielder Andrea Pisanu is suffering from influenza.

Alex Muscat and Clifford Gatt Baldacchino were expected to undergo a fitness test yesterday evening.

Senegalese forward Demba Toure is set to make his bow for Naxxar Lions who are also boosted by the return from suspension of goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi, striker Daren Falzon and midfielder Albert Bruce.

First round: Naxxar vs Sliema 1-0.

Valletta vs Żebbuġ Rangers (today at 4pm, Hibernians Stadium).

Valletta are gunning for their fourth successive victory while bottom side Żebbuġ Rangers will be looking to build on their 2-1 success over Sliema Wanderers.

Italian goalkeeper Pietro Marino is expected to be included in the City squad for the first time since rejoining the champions earlier this month.

Shaun Bajada is nearing the end of his rehab from a hamstring problem but coach Ivan Zammit is not expected to rush the experienced midfielder back into action.

Żebbuġ coach Alfonso Greco is buoyed by the return from suspension of Yessous Camilleri, Jacob Borg and Kurt Zammit but Scottish livewire Carlo Monti could miss out as he is recovering from a slight injury.

First round: Valletta vs Żebbuġ 2-0.

Qormi vs Pietà Hotspurs (today at 4.15pm, Tedesco Stadium).

A win is a must for these two strugglers.

Qormi are in the middle of a crisis after losing four games in a row while the Hotspurs have gone six matches without a win.

Josef Mansueto, the Qormi coach, was hoping to get the all-clear to name Uzeh Edafe in his squad. The Nigerian midfielder joined Qormi on Thursday after being released by Naxxar Lions.

Wing-back Duncan Pisani is likely to earn a recall after suspension kept him out of the defeat to Mosta.

Pietà coach Noel Coleiro is again expected to rely on many homegrown youngsters as the Hotspurs have yet to bring in replacements for Brazilian Rafael Xavier and Nikola Tasic.

Veteran striker Malcolm Licari is sidelined with injury along with Cain Attard.

Left-back Juergen Pisani is available after recovering from injury.

First round: Qormi vs Pietà 0-0.

Floriana vs Birkirkara (tomorrow at 4pm, National Stadium).

Birkirkara, joint-second with Valletta on 37 points, will be looking to gain revenge for their 2-1 upset to Floriana in the first round.

On the other hand, the Greens are targeting a double over the Stripes as they bid to revive their top-four hopes following their loss to Balzan.

Paul Zammit, the Birkirkara coach, has a defensive problem as Nikola Vukanac and Matheus Bissi are both suspended.

There are also doubts over goalkeeper Justin Haber after he injured his knee during training.

Newly-signed Dutch striker Nassir Maachi, who last played for AEK Larnaca, is set to make his bow for Birkirkara.

Mano Micallef is likely to make his debut for Floriana after the winger rejoined his home club on loan from Mosta.

Young midfielder Conor Borg is eyeing a first-team recall after recovering from a bout of flu which forced him to miss the Balzan loss.

Floriana coach Giovanni Tedesco is still dogged by the absence of goalkeeper Valerio Senatore, injured, while Senegalese winger Amadou Samb is suspended.

First round: Floriana vs Birkirkara 2-1.

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