Pietà Hotspurs vs Naxxar Lions (today at 2pm, Hibs Stadium)

After an agonising defeat to bottom-placed Żebbuġ, Pietà cannot afford to drop more points against fellow strugglers Naxxar Lions.

Pietà are likely to be without goalkeeper David Cassar, who is nursing a foot injury, but otherwise coach Noel Coleiro has a full squad to choose from. Midfielder Ricardo Costa, who was a second-half substitute against Żebbuġ, is pushing for a starting berth for Pieta.

Naxxar will be without midfielder Albert Bruce. The Nigerian must serve a one-match ban following his dismissal in a 2-0 defeat to Valletta. On a more positive note midfielder Pablo Doffo and striker Jorge return from suspension.

First round: Naxxar-Pietà 4-0.

Floriana vs Tarxien (today at 2pm, Tedesco Stadium)

This is a match both teams must win for different reasons as Floriana bid to keep their top-four challenge going while Tarxien look to move away from the red zone.

The Greens are expected to parade their latest signing, Matthew Calleja Cremona, the goalkeeper who joined on loan from Pembroke this week.

Wing-back Manolito Micallef is still nursing a muscle injury while forward Amadou Samb must serve the second of a four-match ban.

Tarxien will be looking to build on their 1-0 victory over Qormi which boosted their salvation hopes. However, coach Clive Mizzi is without three regulars today as Matthew Tabone, the match-winner against Qormi, Triston Caruana and Carlos Hevia are all ruled out with a one-match ban.

First round: Tarxien-Floriana 1-1.

Hibernians vs Mosta (today at 4.15pm, Tedesco Stadium)

Hibernians will be fancying their chances of returning to winning ways against inconsistent Mosta.

After a tense match against Bir-kirkara, the unbeaten Hibs start favourites to brush aside a Mosta team that picked just one point from their last two matches.

Hibs will have a new face in their squad as yesterday they completed the signing of US forward Gustavo Villalobos, formerly of Sweden’s AF Ange.

Hibs are also assessing strikers from Serbia and Argentina as they intend to add more firepower to their ranks this winter.

Clayton Failla is out with a one-match ban while Marcelo Dias is still nursing an ankle injury.

Mosta, too, will have a new forward today after Udo Fortune completed his transfer this week while Haruna Babangida is in line to make his debut as he skipped the 4-1 defeat to Floriana.

Blues keeper Kyle Gerada is out with shoulder trouble.

First round: Mosta-Hibs 0-5.

Sliema vs Birkirkara (tomorrow at 2pm, National Stadium)

Birkirkara will be out to put behind them the heartache of last week’s 1-1 draw against Hibs when they were pegged back with an Andrei Agius last-gasp goal.

This week, coach Paul Zammit received a huge boost after Rowen Muscat agreed to don the Stripes shirt again. The midfielder left Birkirkara last summer to join Dunaujvaros but his stint was ended prematurely due to financial problems hitting the Hungarian league club.

Defender Zach Muscat is out with a one-match ban.

Sliema go into this match with a depleted squad as Pedrinho and Mark Scerri are ruled out by suspension while Clifford Gatt Baldacchino (groin), Michael Mifsud (ankle) and Aidan Friggieri (cheekbone) are all out injured.

Guy Gnaboyou has been re-leased while the Wanderers still have to file the registration papers of latest arrival Julio Alcorse.

First round: Sliema-Birkirkara 0-1.

Valletta vs Balzan (tomorrow at 4pm, National Stadium)

Champions Valletta will be looking to keep up the pressure on leaders Hibernians but face a tricky test against the in-form Balzan.

The Whites are still trailing the Paolites by 13 points but they will be looking to win their remaining two matches before points are halved to keep alive their title aspirations.

However, their task is far from simple as Balzan have shown impressive attacking power in their last two matches, netting 11 goals after a 6-0 defeat of Żabbar St Patrick in the FA Trophy and a 5-3 win over Sliema with Bojan Kaljevic bagging seven goals in both encounters.

Ivan Zammit, the Valletta coach, will have to do without defender Steve Borg who will be serving a one-man suspension.

Borg is likely to be replaced by Nigerian Hilary Ikenna who completed his transfer move to the Citizens this week.

Balzan are in full force and have no selection problems.

First round: Balzan-Valletta 0-2.

Current standings

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Hibernians	20	18	2	0	63	11	56
Valletta	20	14	1	5	49	14	43
Birkirkara	20	13	2	5	39	20	41
Balzan	20	8	7	5	32	30	31
Floriana	20	7	6	7	35	38	27
Mosta	20	7	3	10	22	40	24
Sliema W.	20	6	5	9	23	29	23
Tarxien R.	20	4	8	8	20	33	20
Naxxar L.	20	4	6	10	21	33	18
Qormi	20	4	5	11	20	35	17
Pietà H.	20	4	5	11	16	34	17
Żebbuġ R.	20	3	6	11	24	47	15