Naxxar Lions will be looking to pick up more points in their fight against relegation but they are unlikely to have an easy ride as St Andrew’s have upped their game.

The Lions come into the match in high spirits after their 5-0 mauling of Qormi lifted them outside the relegation zone.

Italian goalkeeper Alberto Gallinetta, signed on loan from Juventus, is in line to make his Naxxar debut.

Namibian defender Ennio Hamutenya is doubtful with a hamstring strain.

St Andrew’s are also approaching the game in upbeat mood after their battling performance against champions Hibs saw them pick their first league point of the season.

Coach Josè Borg has no selection problems.

First round: St Andrew’s vs Naxxar Lions 1-2.

Tarxien welcome back key trio

Tarxien Rainbows will fancy their chances of getting back to winning ways when they face struggling Qormi this evening.

With just two points to show from their last three matches, the Rainbows will be determined to revive their top-four charge.

Coach Jacques Scerri is boosted by the return of Brazilian duo Joao Pedro and Bruno and Spaniard Carlos Hevia who all missed the goalless draw against Mosta through suspension.

Qormi are desperate to put their poor showings against Balzan (0-5) and Naxxar (0-5) behind them .

Coach Johann Scicluna, now working alongside Italian Marco Banchini, needs to assess the fitness of several young players who played in a youth knock-out match on Wednesday.

First round: Tarxien vs Qormi 4-1.

Vergara, Ledesma available for City

Valletta will be gunning for their 10th positive result in a row but are unlikely to underestimate Mosta who held the title hopefuls to a 2-2 draw in the first round.

Michael Mifsud is out for Valletta after the veteran striker received a one-match ban for his charge on Paltemio Barbetti in the 3-2 win over Pembroke Athleta.

Coach Paul Zammit is expected to name new signings, Colombian defender Luis Vergara and Brazilian playmaker Rafael Ledesma (picture), in his squad.

Italian midfielder Claudio Pani, Tunisian forward Abdelkarim Nafti and Juan Cruz Gill, the Argentine defender, could return for Valletta after making good progress in their recovery from injuries.

Mosta coach Ivan Zammit must make do without Dyson Falzon, injured, but has no other selection worries.

It remains to be seen whether Zammit names newly-signed Nigerian players Elvis Johnson, Bello Vera and Thomas Zenke in his squad this evening.

First round: Valletta vs Mosta 2-2.

Borg, Chiesa back for Floriana

Key midfielders Clyde Borg and Nicolas Chiesa return from suspension for Floriana as they look to step up their push for a top-four finish when they face the improved Pembroke Athleta this evening.

Italian defender Andrea Scozzese has been ruled out for a month with a strained muscle while left-back Jurgen Pisani is still out for the Greens as he continues his recovery from cruciate surgery.

Pembroke are likely to provide a stiff test to the Greens as Winston Muscat’s men have proved tough clients for the top sides this season.

Manolito Micallef is out with a back injury, Leighton Grech is still recovering from a groin problem and Paltemio Barbetti is suspended.

First round: Pembroke vs Floriana 1-2.

Nisevic expects Hibs response

Hibs coach Branko Nisevic is expecting a strong response from his players after last week’s disappointing 2-2 draw against St Andrew’s.

“We need to produce the right response after throwing away two precious points against St Andrew’s,” Nisevic said.

The Paolites are still without injured duo Rui Da Gracia Gomes and Jorginho but Andrei Agius and Marcelo Dias return from suspension.

Clayton Failla faces a late fitness test on a muscle injury while goalkeeper Justin Haber, signed from Birkirkara this week, is still recovering from a wrist injury.

Gilmar and Jonathan Pearson are suspended for the champions.

Nisevic will come up against two of his former players in forwards Denni and Jean Paul Farrugia who joined Sliema this week. Fellow January signings Njongo Priso and Mandinho are also in line to start for the Blues.

Stefano Bianciardi is out with a one-match ban while Saviour Fidelis has not recovered from the chest injury sustained against Balzan last weekend.

Nigerian midfielder Albert Bruce, who joined Sliema as part of a swap deal involving Rafael Ledesma, is still recovering from injury.

First round: Sliema vs Hibernians 2-2.