Birkirkara vs Pietà Hotspurs (today at 2pm, National Stadium).

With their title hopes all but over following Sunday’s goalless stalemate against Floriana, Birkirkara have their eyes set on taking all three points from this match to maintain their grip on the runners-up spot.

The Stripes, now only one point ahead of Valletta, will surely fancy their chances of returning to winning ways against a Pietà Hotspurs side who have just one point to show from their last four matches.

Paul Zammit, the Birkirkara coach, is boosted by the return of midfielder Paul Fenech and reserve goalkeeper Ini Aktpan after both missed the Floriana match due to suspension.

Orosco Anonam is back for the Hotspurs after missing the 2-1 defeat to Valletta due to illness.

The Nigeria-born midfielder will also be responsible of the team tactics during the match in the absence of coach Noel Coleiro who is overseas.

Brazilian midfielder Rafael Rodrigues is the only doubt for Pietà after picking up an ankle injury against Valletta.

Previous results: Pietà Hotspurs vs Birkirkara 1-2, 4-3.

Floriana vs Qormi (today at 2pm, Hibernians Stadium).

Both teams are determined to collect all points for different reasons.

Floriana are bidding to maintain their top-four charge while Qormi need the points to boost their hopes of avoiding the drop.

The Greens are one of the in-form sides as they are unbeaten in their last eight league outings.

Defender Steve Bonnici is nursing a knee injury and Andrè Scicluna is continuing his rehabilitation from cruciate surgery but otherwise Giovanni Tedesco, Floriana’s Italian coach, has a full squad at his disposal.

Qormi, for their part, will be without Nigerian midfielder Uzeh Edafe and Duncan Pisani, both suspended, while Billy Berntsson is out with a hamstring problem.

On a positive note, striker Alfred Effiong returns from suspension while American attacking midfielder Gustavo Villalobos has recovered from a hamstring injury.

Previous results: Qormi vs Floriana 4-2, 2-2.

Valletta vs Mosta (today at 4pm, National Stadium).

Valletta will be looking to make it four wins in a row and bolster their chances of pipping Birkirkara to second spot.

The Citizens will be wary of the threat posed by a reinvigorated Mosta side who last week improved their survival hopes with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Żebbuġ Rangers with the returning Haruna Babangida playing a starring role.

Ivan Zammit, the Valletta coach, has seen his attacking resources further decimated by the absence of Dutch forward Djamel Leeflang who picked up an injury during the Pietà match.

English forward Lateef Elford Alliyu is still out with a foot injury but Roderick Briffa and Ryan Fenech have both recovered from minor injuries and should start.

Mosta will be without Cameroonian wing-back Rodriguez Ekani, who fractured his wrist, while French forward Michael Dawood is out with a strained muscle.

Karl Pulo is out after being handed a one-match ban following his red card in the Żebbuġ win.

Previous results: Mosta vs Valletta 1-0, 0-5.

Hibernians vs Naxxar Lions (today at 4pm, Hibernians Stadium).

Ten points clear at the top, Hibernians will make another significant step towards winning the title if they beat Naxxar Lions.

It will be interesting to see how the Paolites adapt to life without their chief goalscorer Luis Edison who is expected to leave for South Korea today to join Seoul E-Land.

January signings Andre Luis and Marko Rajic are pushing for a place up front alongside Jorginho but Brazilian winger Marcelo Dias is still out with a muscle injury while defender Andrei Agius yesterday received a one-match ban for four bookings.

The Lions, buoyed by back-to-back victories over Żebbuġ Rangers and Qormi, are boosted by the recovery of striker Frank Temile, who has recuperated from a knee injury, but Brazilian livewire Gilmar is out, suspended.

Previous results: Naxxar Lions vs Hibernians 1-5, 0-2.

Balzan vs Tarxien Rainbows (tomorrow at 6pm, Tedesco Stadium).

Balzan will be going all out to step up their top-four challenge while basement side Tarxien Rainbows desperately need a win to improve their fading hopes of avoiding relegation.

Last Sunday, the Reds trimmed the gap on fourth-placed Floriana to just one point after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sliema.

Oliver Spiteri, the Balzan coach, must make do without defender Elkin Valero Serrano and Lydon Micallef, who must serve a one-match ban, but striker Gianmarco Piccioni is pushing for a start after coming on as a substitute against the Wanderers.

Justin Grioli is back after seeing out a one-match ban.

Tarxien coach Clive Mizzi is without Spanish defender Manuel Acevedo, who starts a two-match ban, but strikers Soly Mouhamed and Edu Vallecillo are back from suspension.

Previous results: Tarxien vs Balzan 2-3, 0-5.