Balzan vs Tarxien Rainbows (today at 5pm, National Stadium).
Balzan and Tarxien Rainbows are expected to provide entertaining fare in today’s opener.
Both have caught the eye with their attacking football this season with Tarxien banking on their Brazilian trio of Jorge, Wesley ‘Pipico’ and Alvaro for goals while Oscar Guerrero, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Gianmarco Piccioni lead the charge for Balzan.
The Rainbows are expected to be at full strength with goalkeeper Jonathan Debono likely to be declared fit to play.
Oliver Spiteri, the Balzan coach, is buoyed by the return of Piccioni who was sorely missed in the 1-0 defeat to Mosta.
Valletta vs Qormi (today at 7pm, National Stadium).
Valletta’s five-goal mauling of Sliema Wanderers has strengthened their confidence following their 2-1 loss to Hibernians.
Gilbert Agius, the Valletta coach, is expected to pick the same formation that started the game against Sliema.
Defenders Steve Borg and Jonathan Caruana are still sidelined with injuries along with forward Christian Caruana.
English striker Lateef Elford-Alliyu is doubtful after picking up a knock last Sunday while Tunisian winger Abdelkarim Nafti and Ian Zammit have resumed training.
Qormi had a go at Birkirkara in the second half of last weekend’s match but still came out of the National Stadium empty-handed after conceding two late goals.
Argentine defender Mauricio Mazzetti and Emerson Vella are still out of the equation for Qormi but coach Josef Mansueto will be delighted to have the experienced Jonathan Bondin back.
Żebbuġ Rangers vs Hibernians (today at 5pm, Tedesco Stadium).
Hibernians start as firm favourites to chalk up their sixth successive victory when they take on lowly Żebbuġ Rangers.
Branko Nisevic, the Hibernians coach, is hopeful of having a full complement at his disposal as Brazilian wing-back Marcelo Dias has made progress in his recovery from a back injury.
Żebbuġ Rangers coach Jesmond Zammit has no selection problems.
He will be eyeing an improved display in defence as Żebbuġ, who have shown character in coming from behind to gain a point against Tarxien and Floriana, face the best attacking side in the division.
Naxxar Lions vs Floriana (today at 7.15pm, Tedesco Stadium).
A balanced encounter is anticipated between two teams who have had an up-and-down start to the season.
The Lions are still in search of their first win after taking only two points from their first five games.
Coach Winston Muscat is still without midfielders Sidney and David Fenech and defender Kurt Drago.
After beating Pietà Hotspurs 3-1, Floriana looked on their way to their second successive victory but they contrived to throw away a two-goal lead against Żebbuġ.
Italian coach Giovanni Tedesco will demand a more clinical display from his team as the Greens look to move up the table.
Tedesco must make at least one change as defender Steve Bonnici is suspended.
Pietà Hotspurs vs Sliema Wanderers (tomorrow at 5pm, National Stadium).
These two struggling teams are still without a win after five matches.
Pietà Hotspurs are coming from a 3-1 defeat to Hibernians while Sliema Wanderers were humiliated by Valletta.
Veteran striker Malcolm Licari is still unfit for the Hotspurs but otherwise coach Noel Coleiro has no selection worries.
Sliema coach Alfonso Greco is under pressure to reverse his team’s dismal start to the season.
Captain Alex Muscat is recovering from cruciate surgery and Italian defender Stefano Bianciardi is struggling with a knee problem.
Italian playmaker Andrea Pisanu is expected to earn a squad recall after being overlooked for the Valletta game.