Tarxien Rainbows will fancy their chances of completing their second-round commitments with a win but they are unlikely to underestimate a rejuvenated St Andrew’s team.

The Rainbows come into the match in high spirits after trouncing Qormi 4-0 but the Saints are also in upbeat mood after edging Naxxar Lions 1-0 to secure their first win of the season.

Nigerian defender Ebiabowei Baker is out for Tarxien after receiving a one-match ban for four cautions yesterday while midfielder Manuel Caruana is nursing an ankle injury.

Josè Borg, the St Andrew’s coach, has no selection problems and can field his strongest team.

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

City out to stay in pole position

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Valletta welcome back striker Michael Mifsud (picture) for their match against struggling Qormi this afternoon.

With nine wins from their last 10 games, the Citizens lead the way in the title race and another win would ensure they start the third and final round with a slight advantage over their rivals, whatever the results of the other matches.

Mifsud is available after serving a one-match ban in Valletta’s 3-0 victory over Mosta.

Qormi are passing through a negative patch and desperately need the points to revive their survival hopes.

Emerson Vella is back after completing his recovery from a cartilage operation but Steve Agius is out with a knee injury.

First round: Valletta vs Qormi 2-1.

Buhagiar in... Grech out

Naxxar Lions and Sliema Wanderers need a win for different reasons when they go head to head at the Tedesco Stadium today.

The Lions are still smarting from last week’s upset to relegation rivals St Andrew’s while the Blues, who played well in their 2-1 loss to Hibernians, will be looking to halt a run of four successive defeats.

Clive Mizzi, the Naxxar coach, welcomes back in the fray skipper Angus Buhagiar from suspension but Ryan Grech is out after the midfielder was handed a two-match ban for his sending-off in the defeat to St Andrew’s.

Jose Godar Pereira (hamstring) and Ishmael Grech are rated as doubtful for the Lions.

The Wanderers are without defender Luke Dimech, who suffered a thigh injury against Hibs, but Stefano Bianciardi is now available after serving suspension.

First round: Sliema Wanderers vs Naxxar Lions 2-1.

Grech, Falzon still sidelined

Pembroke and Mosta will be chasing a morale-boosting result ahead of the start of the final round.

For Pembroke, this match represents a perfect opportunity to climb up the standings as a win would translate itself into an extra point when the teams’ tallies are halved after this weekend’s games.

Winston Muscat, the Pembroke coach, is still without winger Leighton Grech who is struggling with a groin injury, but otherwise all the players are available for selection.

Mosta, who have claimed only one win in their last seven games, are almost at full strength with Dyson Falzon their only absentee as he is sidelined with a knee injury.

First round: Mosta vs Pembroke Athleta 2-0.

Greens lose Pepe, Monticelli

Balzan and Floriana have little margin for error as they look to stay close to the leading teams as the league enters a decisive stage.

Floriana will be without two key players, however, as Enrico Pepe and Antonio Monticelli were banned for one match after the Italian duo collected their fourth booking in the 4-2 victory over Pembroke.

Left-back Juergen Pisani is sidelined after undergoing cruciate surgery.

Balzan are on a roll since the start of the year, racking up five successive victories, including last weekend’s 1-0 win over Birkirkara.

Oliver Spiteri, the Balzan coach, is sure to be without midfielder Ryan Fenech who is recovering from groin trouble but striker Bojan Kaljevic is pushing for a first-team return after making the squad for last week’s match against Birkirkara following a lengthy lay-off

First round: Balzan vs Floriana 0-2.

Weekend Programme

Playing today

Hibs Stadium: 2pm St Andrew’s-Tarxien; 4pm Qormi-Valletta.

Tedesco Stadium: 2pm Mosta-Pembroke; 4.15pm Sliema-Naxxar.

Tomorrow

National Stadium: 2pm Balzan-Floriana; 4pm Birkirkara-Hibs.