Rabat Ajax vs Naxxar Lions (today at 14.00, Tedesco Stadium).

Five points adrift of safety, Rabat Ajax’s predicament has been further compounded by suspensions and injuries ahead of their clash with Naxxar Lions.

Coach Steve D’Amato could include up to eight youth players in his squad today as four first-choice players will serve a one-match ban, namely Diego Carrillo Pendas, captain Dylan Falzon, Jonathan Bajada and David Azzopardi, the latter having been sent off in the 2-1 loss to Gżira United in Sunday’s FA Trophy quarter-final.

To make matters worse, Spanish midfielder Daniel Pelaez, Adam Smeir and young forward Aidan Azzopardi are injured while Malcolm Licari and reserve goalkeeper Jonathan Azzopardi are doubtful due to illness.

Naxxar don’t have the same selection problems but long-term injuries to Argentine midfielder Pablo Doffo and Marlon Briffa have not helped their cause.

Coach Winston Muscat has also lost captain Victor Bellia, who is recovering from a calf problem, and Mattia Del Negro who injured his knee in the FA Trophy defeat to Valletta.

Previous results: Naxxar Lions vs Rabat Ajax 2-1, 3-0.

Floriana vs Qormi (today at 14.00, Hibs Stadium).

Floriana will be looking to mark the start of Riccardo Gaucci’s tenure as club president with a convincing performance in their opening Relegation Pool clash with Qormi.

Although Qormi are three points behind the Greens, they come into the match in high spirits after a 3-1 success over Birkirkara in the Trophy. This win followed a 2-2 draw with Floriana two weeks ago.

Ian Dawes, the Floriana coach, must make do without Nigerian defender Ibok Edet and midfielder Joseph Borg, both suspended.

Diogo Pinheiro was due to un-dergo a fitness test yesterday.

Qormi coach Karel Zeman has no option but to field a makeshift rearguard as three defenders, Giorgio Gianola, Roderick Sammut and Owen Bugeja, who suffered an injury in the opening stages of the Trophy tie against Birkirkara, are all suspended.

Goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia is also out after dislocating a finger during last Saturday’s match.

Previous results: Floriana vs Qormi 3-0, 2-2.

Mosta vs Hibs (today at 16.00, Hibs Stadium).

With Birkirkara and Valletta playing tomorrow, this is an opportunity for Hibs to narrow the gap and put some pressure on the leading duo.

Hibs, four points behind the Stripes, regained some stability after winning their last three games.

For today’s match against Mosta, Branko Nisevic is buoyed by the return of four key players.

Clayton Failla has seen out his three-match ban, Zoran Levnaic is back after suspension kept him out of the 3-0 defeat of Naxxar, Andrew Cohen has recovered from injury and Ryan Camilleri is back after overcoming a bout of flu.

Johann Bezzina is suspended while Brandon Muscat could miss out as he has yet to fully recuperate from injury.

Mosta, themselves boosted by five wins in a row, will be without reliable right-back Jonas Rodri-guez Ekani but otherwise coach Enrico Piccioni has no selection worries.

Previous results: Hibernians vs Mosta 2-0, 2-3.

Tarxien Rainbows vs Vittoriosa Stars (today at 16.15, Tedesco Stadium).

A relegation six-pointer for Vittoriosa Stars and Tarxien Rainbows who are separated by just one point.

Tarxien will be looking to make a statement of intent in their first Relegation Pool outing after suffering three defeats on the trot.

The Rainbows will be without defender Ryan Sammut, suspended, and winger Karl Pulo, injured.

Vittoriosa know that a win today would significantly im-prove their survival hopes.

Coach Oliver Spiteri is expected to name Italian de-fender Leonardo Torri, the club’s latest signing, in his squad.

Brazilian Francisco Arriagada Mella is suspended.

Previous results: Tarxien Rainbows vs Vittoriosa 2-2, 0-3.

Balzan vs Birkirkara (tomorrow at 14.00, National Stadium).

Two defeats in their last four outings have pierced the aura of invincibility around Birkirkara after the champions had chalked up 13 wins on the trot.

Out of the FA Trophy after their defeat to Qormi, the Stripes are itching to bounce back as they look to keep their title defence on track.

Midfielder Rowen Muscat is still sidelined with a knee problem but otherwise all the players are available for selection.

Balzan are over the moon after pulling off a Houdini act to secure a Championship Pool berth in their last first-phase game but coach Jesmond Zerafa wants his team to keep the momentum going.

For tomorrow’s match against the champions, Zerafa will be without youngster Godwin McKay who suffered a potentially serious knee injury in a youth game.

Previous results: Birkirkara vs Balzan 2-1, 2-1.