Gżira-Sliema, today 18.00

■ Sliema Wanderers will parade their latest signings against Gżira United at the Hibs Stadium in their bid to chalk up their first points of the season.

After back-to-back defeats, the Wanderers will be desperate to kickstart their season with a win over the Maroons in the first derby between these two sides in the top flight after an absence of almost three decades.

Coach John Buttigieg will be tempted to give debuts to Benjamin Oweregbulam, a Nigerian midfielder who arrived on loan from Mosta, Ryan Spiteri, formerly of Ħamrun Spartans, and Mandinho, who returns after helping Sliema win the FA Trophy last season.

Gżira have two points from their opening two matches as coach Branko Nisevic is boosted by the availability of Brazilian defender Tony whose one-match ban was overturned by the MFA Appeals Board this week.

Striker Liliu, who joined the Maroons before the transfer deadline, is unlikely to feature as he is still not 100 per cent fit.

Hibernians-Mosta, today 20.00

■ Hibernians are set to be without Timothy Tabone Desira and Diosdado Mbele as they bid to win their second match in a row when playing against Mosta at the Hibs Stadium.

Defender Tabone Desira is out to nurse a knee injury while midfielder Mbele re-turned late from a trip abroad.

Hibs boss Mark Miller is hopeful that the Paola club will sort out differences with striker Jorginho who has yet to feature for the team this season.

Mosta are expected to give forward Edin Murga his first start after the Bosnian’s transfer was finally completed this week.

Coach Edmond Lufi must contend with a few defensive problems however as Kurt Magro and Tristan Grant are both out with injury. Luca Martinelli could make his first appearance after his on-loan move.

Valletta-Pembroke, today 20.00

■ Valletta coach Paul Zammit is facing a selection headache as he must do without two midfielders for the match against Pembroke Athleta at the National Stadium.

Claudio Pani starts a two-match ban while Llywelyn Cremona will be sidelined for at least a fortnight after a hamstring injury while playing for Malta U-21.

On a more positive note, striker Federico Falcone is pushing for a start after missing the first two league matches.

Pembroke will again be without midfielder Siraj Arab and striker Luke Montebello who complete a two-match suspension.

Midfielder David Fenech is also out after sustaining an ankle injury during a friendly against Gżira United last week.

St Andrew’s-Tarxien, tomorrow 18.00

■ Emerson Marcelina could be handed his debut for Tarxien Rainbows when they face St Andrew’s in tomorrow’s opening match at the National Stadium.

The Brazilian midfielder joined the Rainbows on loan from Birkirkara, giving coach Jacques Scerri more options after the side only managed one point from two matches.

Defenders Daniel Zerafa and Sascha Borg are still unfit but Matthew Tabone could make it after knee trouble.

St Andrew’s, too, have a new face in their squad as Ziga Kastrevec, a Slovenia Under-21 international midfielder, is set to make his first start this weekend since joining the Saints late in August.

Birkirkara-Ħamrun, tomorrow 20.00

■ Birkirkara will fancy their chances of making it three wins in a row when they face newly-promoted side Ħamrun Spartans at Ta’ Qali, tomorrow.

The Stripes, however, will be without injured defender Christian Bubalovic as coach Drazen Besek must first check on the fitness of Edward Herrera and Joseph Zerafa before naming his team.

The Spartans have all their overseas players available.

They are strengthened by the return of forward Haruna Garba and the additions of Italian defender Christian Maldini and midfielder Massimiliano Giusti, also of Italy.

Brazilian trio Raphael, Jorginho and Leandro Motta are all pushing for a start after their bright showing when coming on as substitutes in the 1-1 draw against Gżira United in the Reds’ last outing.

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