Champions Hibernians secured a timely boost in midweek after beating PSV Eindhoven 2-1 in a friendly match.

The win over the Dutch champions ought to have lifted the Paolites’ morale after their 3-2 defeat to Valletta before the Christmas break.

Coach Branko Nisevic is hopeful that Brazilian duo Rodolfo Soares and Marcelo Dias get the all-clear to make their comeback from injuries in today’s game against Pembroke Athleta.

Brazilian striker Jorginho is likely to be sidelined between five to seven weeks due to a quad injury while goalkeeper Jurgen Borg has a knee problem and is ranked doubtful.

Pembroke have made some alterations to their squad over the past nine days. Experienced wing-back Mano Micallef has joined Pembroke on a two-and-a-half-year deal from Mosta while midfielder Terence Agius has arrived on loan from Balzan.

The loss of American winger Austin Martz, who was homesick, is a blow for coach Winston Muscat who has offloaded striker Gibson Bardsley.

Leighton Grech is still sidelined with a nagging groin problem.

First round: Pembroke vs Hibernians 1-1.

Eyes on Balzan newcomers

Down to sixth place after collecting only one point from their last three outings, Balzan will be going all out to put their league campaign back on track when they meet Mosta this afternoon.

Balzan coach Oliver Spiteri will be hoping that the new recruits will make an instant impact as midfielder Paul Fenech and Brazilians Alan Da Silva Souza and Pedrinho could make their debut this afternoon.

Fenech has moved to Balzan from Birkirkara in a player-plus-cash deal involving Edison Bilbao Zarate while Pedrinho has rejoined the club after terminating his contract with Sliema Wanderers.

By contrast, Mosta have offloaded some players as, apart from Mano Micallef, midfielder Ryan Grech has also left the club.

Edin Murga is unavailable for Mosta as the Bosnian winger has yet to return from his Christmas holidays due to visa problems.

Nigerian midfielder Onyekachi Okonkwo is suspended.

First round: Balzan vs Mosta 3-1.

Blues out to stretch positive run

Sliema Wanderers will have high hopes of extending their unbeaten run to four games when they face bottom side St Andrew’s.

The Blues, 6-3 winners over Qormi in their last outing, have parted with Brazilian playmaker Pedrinho and also released four Colombian players who hardly featured for the team this season.

St Andrew’s are expected to register some new foreigners in the coming days but they have accepted an offer to sell young prospect Matthew Guillaumier, who was also coveted by Valletta, to Birkirkara.

Winger Nikki Vella Petroni has joined rivals Melita on loan.

No doubt, coach Jose Borg and manager Denis Guerra will be hoping that the New Year brings an upturn in their team’s fortunes as the Saints are still without a point after 16 games.

First round: Sliema vs St Andrew’s 1-0.

Floriana, Tarxien in top-five clash

Jurgen Pisani is out for Floriana as he continues his recovery from a cruciate operation but otherwise coach Luis Oliveira has no selection problems for tomorrow’s top-five clash with Tarxien Rainbows.

Former Balzan and Sliema flank defender Jacob Borg was expected to start a trial with Floriana.

Brazilian forwards Danilo and Anderson are no longer part of the Tarxien squad. For tomorrow’s game, coach Jacques Scerri will have to make do without Brazilian defender Bruno Oliveira, suspended.

First round: Floriana vs Tarxien 1-1.

Muscat’s Ascoli move in the balance

Birkirkara’s build-up for tomorrow’s clash with Qormi has been overshadowed by reports that Rowen Muscat’s move to Ascoli is in the balance due to complications surrounding his medical.

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Muscat (right) has reportedly flown back to Malta as he is recovering from a chest infection but his early departure raises doubts over his loan switch to the Serie B club.

Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Drazen Besek as the Croatian takes charge of his first match since being appointed Birkirkara coach.

The Stripes, five points adrift of Valletta, have traded Paul Fenech with Edison Zarate while Zach Muscat yesterday finalised his move to Italian Lego Pro side Akragas.

Brazilian forward Liliu is facing an uncertain future with the club while Argentine defender Mauricio Mazzetti must serve a one-match ban.

Apart from Chilean midfielder Zarate, Birkirkara have signed 27-year-old Croatian midfielder Mislav Andelkovic and have also reached agreement with St Andrew’s over the transfer of Matthew Guillaumier.

It is also understood that Birkirkara are mulling the possibility of re-signing Dutch winger Sylvano Comvalius who was in Malta this week.

Qormi have released Swedish duo Alex Nilsson and Billy Berntsson.

Midfielder Kurt Magro is suspended and Clifford Gauci is injured.

First round: Birkirkara vs Qormi 2-1.

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