Tarxien Rainbows vs Naxxar Lions (today at 4pm, Centenary Stadium).

A win for either side would significantly improve their chances of securing survival with some games to spare.

Tarxien are unbeaten in their last six outings while Naxxar finally snapped a nine-match winless run with a 2-0 defeat of Rabat Ajax.

Clive Mizzi, the Tarxien coach, must cope without Carlo Mamo and Karl Pulo, both suspended. Daniel Mariano Bueno (knee) and Luca Martinelli (hamstring) are doubtful.

Brazilian forward Gilmar is out of the equation for Naxxar due to suspension. Coach Winston Muscat also has fitness doubts over defender Kurt Drago while John Debono has been unwell this week.

Previous results: Tarxien vs Naxxar 1-3, 0-2, 2-1.

Qormi vs Rabat Ajax (today at 4pm, Tedesco Stadium)

Qormi look too strong for bottom side Rabat Ajax whose relegation fate was confirmed after their loss to Naxxar last weekend.

Qormi will make a significant step towards retaining their top-flight status if, as expected, they claim maximum points today.

Midfielders Simone Quintieri and Gabriel will miss out for Qormi after both received a one-match ban in midweek.

Rabat coach Steve D’Amato faces a tough task to lift his team’s shattered morale for their remaining games and a crippling injury list is not making his job easier.

Daniel Pelaez, Dylan Falzon, Adam Smeir and Sacha Cortis are all injured while midfielder Joseph Caruana is suspended.

David Azzopardi, Malcolm Licari, Diego Carrillo Pendas, Jonathan Bajada and Aidan Azzopardi are ranked as doubtful.

Previous results: Qormi vs Rabat 0-0, 0-0, 3-0.

Floriana vs Vittoriosa Stars (today at 6.15pm, Centenary Stadium).

Time is running out on Vittoriosa’s bid to avoid the drop as, with four matches remaining, they are five points away from safety.

Floriana will be looking to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat to Qormi knowing that three points today would all but banish their relegation fears.

Young forward Luca Casha is out for Floriana after suffering an injury while playing for the youth team in midweek. Otherwise, coach Ian Dawes has no selection problems.

Vittoriosa coach Oliver Spiteri can bank on a full squad.

Previous results: Floriana vs Vittoriosa 2-1, 3-1, 3-1.

Sliema Wanderers vs Balzan (today at 6.15pm, Tedesco Stadium).

Sliema Wanderers desperately need a win to bolster their top-four chances after last weekend’s defeat to Valletta saw them slip to fifth.

Balzan have produced some battling performances in the Championship Pool but they have nothing to show for their efforts after six straight defeats.

Alfonso Greco, the Sliema coach, will be without Bosnian Admir Vladavic who was handed a two-match ban.

Nigerian striker Stanley Ohawuchi returns from suspension and Mark Scerri is expected to recover from an adductor problem.

Balzan coach Jesmond Zerafa has four players missing as Italian midfielder Fabio Vignaroli is suspended, Dylan Grima is unwell and Mark Spiteri and Luke Sciberras are nursing injuries.

Previous results: Sliema vs Balzan 1-0, 3-0, 4-0.

Mosta vs Birkirkara (tomorrow at 4pm, National Stadium).

Birkirkara hammered Mosta 4-0 the last time they met but this still looks like a tricky fixture for the champions as the Blues have not lost since then.

Certainly, coach Paul Zammit is not taking Mosta lightly.

“We are playing a team that are having a very positive season. Their performance level in the Championship Pool highlights this point,” he said.

“All games in the top six are very tough because it’s a six-team league. Every match is a battle and we must respect all opponents but we also believe in our capabilities.”

Left-back Joseph Zerafa is suspended for Birkirkara but Daniel Zerafa and Rowen Muscat are in line to return. Spanish defender Alejandro Mendoza is unlikely to be risked as he continues to recover from hamstring trouble.

Mosta have two key players missing as goalkeeper Omar Borg and striker Bojan Kaljevic are suspended. Coach Enrico Piccioni is hopeful of having Ryan Grech available after the midfielder missed the 2-2 draw with Hibs with an ankle injury.

“We have a few problems but they also have some difficulties as Joseph Zerafa is suspended,” Piccioni said.

“If you’re physically strong at this stage of the season, you can do everything. It will be an open game. Birkirkara are doing well, although they looked tired in their last game.

“We know what we have to do to reach our objective of qualifying for Europe. Every game is like a final.”

Previous results: Birkirkara vs Mosta 3-1, 2-1, 4-0.