Mosta vs Floriana (today at 2pm, National Stadium) – This is a must-win encounter for both contenders as they look to boost their aspirations of breaking into the top four.
Sharing fifth spot on 24 points, Mosta and Floriana will be gunning for maximum spoils to keep the pressure on fourth-placed Balzan, currently four points ahead.
Mosta are expected to give a debut to Nigerian winger Haruna Babangida. Midfielder Nemanja Milovanovic has left the Blues to join Gżira United while Dyson Falzon is out with a knee injury.
Frenchman Michael Nicoise, who joined Mosta this week, will skip this match as his transfer document is yet to be filed at the MFA offices.
Floriana will have to do without Amadou Samb for the next four matches. The Senegalese striker was sanctioned yesterday after he received his second red card in three matches during the Greens’ 3-1 upset to Qormi in the FA Trophy.
Manolito Micallef is doubtful against his former team Mosta after limping out injured in the 2-1 defeat to Birkirkara.
First round: Floriana vs Mosta 3-2.
Tarxien Rainbows vs Qormi (tomorrow at 2pm, Hibs Stadium) – Two relegation strugglers come face to face with Tarxien and Qormi both determined to chalk up a win that would give them some much-needed breathing space in the lower half of the table.
Tarxien are expected to field their latest signings, Nigerian forward Obinna Ajoku Darlington and defender Ishmael Grech but coach Clive Mizzi is still without Spanish midfielder Jorge Yepes, owing to complications over his international transfer certificate.
Qormi will also have two new players in their line-up – Swedish defender Billy Berntsson and Brazilian midfielder Marcelinho.
Coach Josef Mansueto is also running the rule over Alexander Nilsson, a striker from Sweden.
Talks over a swap deal with Birkirkara involving Mauricio Mazzetti and Stripes defender Alejandro Mendoza are still ongoing.
First round: Qormi vs Tarxien 1-0.
Naxxar Lions vs Valletta (tomorrow at 2pm, Tedesco Stadium) – Champions Valletta will have star signing Vladimir Savicevic available for this match along with fellow newcomer Djameel Leeflang.
Savicevic, the son of former Milan great Dejan Savicevic, and Dutch forward Leeflang sealed their moves to Valletta this week.
Ikenna Hillary has also agreed a deal with the Citizens but his transfer was not completed in time for the Nigerian defender to play against Naxxar.
Shaun Bajada is back from injury but Ryan Fenech misses out with a one-match ban.
Naxxar will have to do without defender Pablo Doffo and striker Jorge , both suspended, while midfielder Gilmar is rated as doubtful after picking up a knock in the goalless draw against Sliema.
First round: Valletta vs Naxxar 2-0.
Żebbuġ Rangers vs Pietà Hotspurs (tomorrow at 4pm, Hibs Stadium) – Żebbuġ Rangers and Pietà Hotspurs will fight it out in a relegation six-pointer.
No result other than victory will suit bottom-placed Żebbuġ if they are to narrow the five-point gap on the Hotspurs, Tarxien and Qormi.
The Rangers have almost a full complement with the only major doubt being midfielder Carlo Monti who is struggling with back trouble.
Pietà are expected to parade Brazilian midfielder Ricardo Costa and Nigerian striker Charles Newecke as they look to build on last week’s 1-0 victory over Qormi.
Defender Christian Grech is unavailable for Pietà as he must serve a one-match ban.
First round: Pietà Hotspurs vs Żebbuġ Rangers 1-0.
Balzan vs Sliema Wanderers (tomorrow at 4.15pm, Tedesco Stadium) – Bojan Kaljevic is set to make his first league appearance for Balzan tomorrow.
The Montenegrin forward joined the Reds earlier this month but had a three-match ban to serve before kicking his first ball for his new club.
Kaljevic has left an instant mark for Balzan, though, after scoring four goals in a thumping 6-0 win over Żabbar St Patrick in the FA Trophy on Wednesday.
Balzan have Colombian defender Elkin Serrano out of this match due to suspension.
Sliema are unlikely to have new signing Julio Alcorse available as his registration is yet to be finalised.
Beppe Muscat has joined Michael Mifsud and Clifford Gatt Baldacchino in the treatment room after picking up a groin injury against Naxxar last week.
First round: Sliema vs Balzan 0-0.