Sliema Wanderers will be looking to kickstart their league campaign when they meet a Tarxien Rainbows side buoyed by their best start to a top-division championship.

Coach Stephen Azzopardi is without Pedrinho who begins a three-match ban following his red card in the 1-0 defeat to Balzan. The Brazilian has also been suspended for 28 days by the club.

Defender Luke Dimech (right) must serve a one-match ban while Brazilian playmaker Rafael Ledesma is doubtful (hamstring).

For their part, Tarxien will be gunning to maintain their upward trend after ending their first-round schedule with a goalless draw against Mosta. Jacques Scerri, the Tarxien coach, has no selection problems.

First round: Tarxien vs Sliema 2-0.

Valletta look to bounce back

The 2-0 defeat to Pembroke Athleta was like a bolt out of the blue for Valletta who have slipped to second, one point behind Balzan.

The Citizens return to the scene of their upset to Pembroke this evening to face St Andrew’s, the only team without a point.

Argentine striker Federico Falcone is out of the equation as he has yet to complete a two-match ban. Midfielder Llywelyn Cremona, who made his Malta debut in the 2-0 friendly loss to Jordan, is out, suspended.

Brazilian forward Jhonnattann and captain Jonathan Caruana are training normally but Zammit is unlikely to risk them today.

Italian midfielder Claudio Pani returns from injury.

St Andrew’s coach Wayne Attard has signed Nigerian midfielder Uzeh Edafe in a bid to beef up his team’s resistance.

Attard’s task for today’s game is compounded by the absence of three key players as striker Kyrian Nwoko is out after injuring his adductor while playing for the Malta U-19s against Iceland, Dale Camilleri has a hamstring problem and captain Joseph Farrugia is struggling with back pain.

First round: Valletta vs St Andrew’s 3-0.

Qormi sign Leeflang, Vella injured

Their win over Valletta earlier this month can only have galvanised the self-belief and confidence of the Pembroke Athleta players but their meeting with strugglers Qormi tomorrow is likely to pose a different kind of challenge for Winston Muscat’s team.

Goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia is set to miss tomorrow’s game as he has been down with influenza.

Qormi coach Johann Scicluna is still searching for his first victory since succeeding Jesmond Zerafa on a permanent basis.

This week, Qormi completed the signing of Dutch forward Djamel Leeflang (picture) who was on the books of Valletta last season.

Qormi are facing an anxious wait on striker Terence Vella who went off with a suspected cruciate injury in a friendly against Birkirkara.

First round: Pembroke vs Qormi 2-1.

Birkirkara missing key trio

Birkirkara’s title quest resumes with a winnable fixture against Naxxar Lions but nothing is as straightforward as it seems in this year’s championship.

The absence of suspended duo Joseph Zerafa and Paul Fenech is a setback for Birkirkara who will also be without veteran Italian striker Fabrizio Miccoli who is out with a hamstring problem.

Midfielder Rowen Muscat is likely to return after recovering from gastric flu that forced him to miss the Floriana draw while Edward Herrera and Cain Attard are also back in contention.

Naxxar, third from bottom, are buoyed by the return from suspension of Brazilian midfielder Mandinho and Australian Richard Cardozo.

First round: Birkirkara vs Naxxar 4-0.

Buzzing Greens take on Mosta

Floriana’s recent performances have really got their fans buzzing with excitement at the prospect of a return to their former glory.

For starters, a top-four finish and qualification for the Europa League is must for the Greens but they are unlikely to have it all their own way on Sunday as they must contend with the improved Mosta.

Luis Oliveira, the Floriana coach, is concerned about the fitness of Argentine striker Mauricio Villa and Brazilian Juninho. Winger Steve Pisani has been cleared to play as his one-match ban has been rescinded after Floriana notified the Malta FA that defender Steve Bonnici rather than Pisani received a yellow card in the Birkirkara game.

Mosta coach Ivan Zammit is expected to restore Ian Zammit to the starting line-up as the striker has completed his three-match ban.

Nigerian midfielder Hassan Yau is suspended.

Last week, Mosta announced the signing of Nigerian midfielder Onyekachi Okonkwo who could be in the squad on Sunday provided his international transfer certificate has been sent to the MFA.

First round: Mosta vs Floriana 2-1.