Valletta vs Żebbuġ Rangers (today at 2pm, Hibernians Stadium).
Champions Valletta have picked up only one point from their last two league games and are eight points adrift of Hibernians.
Ivan Zammit, the Valletta coach, is sure to be without midfielder Roderick Briffa, who was hit with a one-match ban for making a derogatory gesture towards the opposing fans in the 1-1 draw against Birkirkara, while Dutch forward Djamel Leeflang is set to undergo a late fitness test on a foot injury.
Bottom side Żebbuġ Rangers are in desperate need for points as the fight to avoid the drop intensifies.
Coach Alfonso Greco is still without Scottish midfielder Carlo Monti, who is hampered by a back injury, while Lee Galea is suspended.
Previous encounters: Valletta vs Żebbuġ Rangers 2-0, 2-0.
Floriana vs Pietà Hotspurs (today at 2pm, Tedesco Stadium).
Floriana will be going all out to step up their fight for a top-four finish. They currently trail fourth-placed Balzan by two points.
Giovanni Tedesco, the Floriana coach, is still without Italian goalkeeper Valerio Senatore and defender Andrè Scicluna but could have winger Manolito Micallef available.
Clyde Borg and Steve Pisani are also back in the frame after missing the 2-2 draw against Qormi through suspension but Senegalese forward Amadou Samb is out as he completes a four-match ban.
Pietà will be looking to build on their excellent 2-1 victory over Balzan a fortnight ago as they look to pull away from the drop zone.
Coach Noel Coleiro has a full squad available with the exception of midfielder Orosco Anonam who is suspended.
Previous encounters: Pietà Hotspurs vs Floriana 1-3, 1-1.
Sliema Wanderers vs Tarxien Rainbows (today at 4pm, Hibernians Stadium).
Sliema striker Michael Mifsud is set to make his comeback from injury this afternoon.
The Malta captain has been out since December after suffering a shin injury in his team’s 2-1 defeat to Hibernians.
The 33-year-old has now completed his rehabilitation and is in line for a squad recall.
Clifford Gatt Baldacchino is also close to recovering from a knee injury but Italian duo Stefano Bianciardi (arm) and Filippo Talato (flu) are still out. Joseph Borg (hamstring) and Luca Martinelli (groin) are rated as doubtful.
Today’s match has added significance for Sliema coach Stephen Azzopardi as it will be his 300th game in the Premier League.
Tarxien coach Clive Mizzi is buoyed by the return of Owen Bugeja and Firas Aboulezz, who missed the 4-1 defeat to Hibs, but Alex Cini is ruled out with a groin problem.
Previous encounters: Tarxien Rainbows vs Sliema Wanderers 1-1, 0-2.
Birkirkara vs Naxxar Lions (tomorrow at 2pm, National Stadium).
Birkirkara are in search of their first win after three identical 1-1 draws against Hibernians, Sliema Wanderers and Valletta.
Coach Paul Zammit is hopeful of having midfielder Gareth Sciberras and Brazilian striker Rafael Ledesma back after both missed the 3-0 FA Trophy win over Pietà.
Brazilian forward Eliandro is still recuperating from a hamstring injury but, on the plus side, left-back Joseph Zerafa is available after rejoining Birkirkara last week.
Before the break for the FA Trophy quarter-finals, Naxxar Lions sounded out a warning to their fellow relegation rivals with a 4-0 demolition of Żebbuġ Rangers despite playing most of the match with 10 men following the first-half dismissal of debutant Frank Temile.
The Nigerian winger and midfielder David Fenech are suspended for tomorrow’s game.
Previous encounters: Birkirkara vs Naxxar Lions 1-0, 3-1.
Hibernians vs Qormi (tomorrow at 4pm, National Stadium).
Leaders Hibernians have their eyes firmly set on starting the third and final round in style when they take on lowly Qormi, now led by their former coach Mark Miller.
Coach Branko Nisevic cannot name his strongest formation as Marcelo Dias (adductor), Andre Luis (shoulder) and Timothy Desira Buttigieg (hamstring) are out injured.
The Serbian must also check on the fitness of Luis Edison, the Premier League’s top scorer with 23 goals, who picked up a knock in the Trophy victory over Balzan last week.
Goalkeeper Henry Bonello has been struggling with an adductor problem.
Miller is expected to hand a recall to Spanish defender Alejandro Mendoza, who was rested for the 7-0 FA Trophy rout of Sirens, while US midfielder Gustavo Villalobos is pushing for a starting role after finding the net in last Saturday’s cup tie following his introduction in the second half.
Winger Leighton Grech could return to the squad if he passes a late fitness test.
Previous encounters: Hibernians vs Qormi 2-1, 6-0.