The quest for survival comes into focus this evening as the two BOV Premier League games feature three teams that are fighting for dear life in the bottom half of the standings.

Qormi, hovering just above the drop zone, desperately need the points to stay clear of the bottom two places but they have a difficult task today as they meet Birkirkara in the second game at the Hibs Stadium (kick-off 8pm).

Judging by the standings, Birkirkara have to be regarded as favourites to extend their 16-match unbeaten run as they are 24 points clear of their troubled opponents but Qormi coach Mark Miller is not reading much into this gap.

Milleri’s cautious optimism stems not only from his belief that Qormi are playing more as a unit lately but also from Birkirkara’s failure to mount a strong title challenge.

“Every game is a cup final and that’s the way we are treating this match,” Miller told Times of Malta.

“The players know that they can’t leave anything in the changing room.

“We’ve had difficult obstacles against Valletta and Hibernians but I believe that we’ve improved.

“We’re more united as a team.

“We know it’s a difficult game for us but it’s also a tough match for Birkirkara.

“With the depth of their squad, I think Birkirkara are disappointed about their season.

“Hibernians have been the only team that impressed but otherwise, it has been a disappointing league.

“I can’t recall a season when the championship has been decided so early. Maybe there have been occasions when a team was eight or nine points clear at the top but that was before the points were halved.

“Ok, there are still some games left and Hibs have a tough run-in, but it’s been disappointing for the likes of Birkirkara and Valletta.”

Apart from long-term absentee Roderick Sammut, Miller has no selection problems.

While Qormi have fired blanks in goalless draws against Floriana and Sliema, Birkirkara are coming from back-to-back wins over Pietà Hotspurs and Tarxien Rainbows.

With Valletta facing rivals Floriana on Sunday, Birkirkara have the chance to pile up the pressure on the Citizens as a win would take them four points clear in second place.

Paul Zammit, the Birkirkara coach, can bank on a full complement with Brazilian striker Liliu in line to earn a place in the squad after making a swift recovery from cruciate surgery.

Birkirkara have a flawless record against Qormi this season, beating them twice with an identical 2-0 scoreline.

In the first game, second-from-bottom Pietà Hotspurs, level on 12 points with Żebbuġ Rangers, take on the faltering Mosta who are not out of danger yet.

Pietà coach Noel Coleiro hopes to get the green light to field Leo Fortunato after the Brazilian was taken off at half-time of the 3-0 defeat to Balzan due to injury.

Cameroonian wing-back Jonas Rodriguez Ekani is still out for Mosta who suffered a 5-0 hiding at the hands of Hibs last weekend.

Coach Peter Smith is also concerned about the fitness of French forward Michael Dawood and English midfielder Gary Roberts.

Mosta prevailed in their previous two meetings with Pietà this season, winning 1-0 and 3-1.

Programme

Today: (Hibs Stadium) 18.00 Pietà vs Mosta. 20.00 Birkirkara vs Qormi.

Sunday: (National Stadium) 16.00 Valletta vs Floriana. 18.00 Hibernians vs Sliema.

Monday: (Tedesco Stadium) 18.00 Balzan vs Żebbuġ. 20.15 Naxxar vs Tarxien Rainbows.

Current standings

Division One
Today: (Centenary Stadium) 19.30 Gudja United vs Pembroke Athleta.