Sliema Wanderers vs Qormi (today at 2pm, National Stadium).

Sliema Wanderers will be looking to cement their top-five position after a 2-0 win over Mosta ended a streak of three matches without a victory.

As for Qormi, they need to put their Championship Pool challenge back on track after their positive run was halted by Valletta last weekend.

Henry Bonello, the Sliema Wanderers goalkeeper, is facing four to six weeks on the sidelines after fracturing a bone in his foot. John Mintoff is out with an adductor problem.

Alex Muscat and Mark Scerri, both substituted in the second half of last Monday’s clash, are expected to receive the medical go-ahead to play today.

Qormi coach Jesmond Zerafa is boosted by the return from injury of Leighton Grech and Matthew Bartolo, both expected to be included in the squad, but defender Roderick Sammut is still injured.

First round: Sliema vs Qormi 1-2.

Birkirkara vs Floriana (today at 4pm, National Stadium).

Floriana’s resurgence will be subjected to a stern test as they meet title contenders Birkirkara.

The Stripes spurned the chance to retain top spot last weekend after they were surprisingly held to a 3-3 draw by relegation strugglers Rabat Ajax.

It was the second consecutive draw for Birkirkara who had been pegged back by Balzan in their previous league outing.

Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit is concerned about the fitness of several first-team players.

Goalkeeper Reuben Gauci, Gareth Sciberras, Edward Herrera, Ryan Camenzuli and Ryan Scicluna were due to undergo fitness tests yesterday.

Forwards Joselito and Shola Shodiya Haruna are still recovering from injuries.

With three wins and a draw in their last four outings, Floriana have rekindled their Championship Pool hopes.

Today, the Greens will be aiming to extend their positive run as they seek to make amends for the 3-0 loss to Birkirkara in the first round.

Stephen Azzopardi, the Floriana coach, is unlikely to tinker with his formation from the 3-1 win over Balzan.

Striker Ryan Darmanin is out for up to three weeks with a hamstring problem while Trevor Cilia (knee) and Duncan Pisani (calf) were expected to have their fitness assessed during yesterday’s training session.

First round: Birkirkara vs Floriana 3-0.

Balzan vs Tarxien Rainbows (tomorrow at 2pm, Hibs Stadium).

This is a direct encounter between two top-six hopefuls.

Tarxien, 4-1 winners of Ħamrun last Friday, are five points clear of Balzan after the latter’s eight-match unbeaten run was snapped by Floriana.

Balzan coach Ivan Zammit must make do without Pedrinho tomorrow as the Brazilian playmaker must serve a one-match ban for four yellow cards.

Tarxien have lost Karl Pulo for the rest of the season after he damaged his cruciate ligaments during the win over the Spartans.

Carlo Mamo is sidelined with a groin tear.

First round: Tarxien vs Balzan 2-1.

Valletta vs Melita (tomorrow at 4pm, Hibs Stadium).

On paper, Valletta should collect the three points at the expense of second-from-bottom Melita but injuries threaten to wreak havoc with Mark Miller’s plans.

Defenders Jonathan Caruana and Steve Borg are out with knee problems with the latter having developed complications following surgery.

Michael Mifsud and Ryan Fenech are hindered by groin problems while Ian Azzopardi has been unwell in the past few days.

To further compound matters for Miller, captain Roderick Briffa is out with a one-match ban.

The shortage of Maltese players could prompt Miller to call upon Gilbert Agius, the City stalwart who is now the team’s assistant coach, for tomorrow’s clash with Melita.

Melita will take heart from Valletta’s injury crisis as the Reds eye a positive result to boost their morale after their 5-1 mauling against Hibs.

Coach Patxi Salinas will have two new Spanish players in his squad, goalkeeper Guillermo Gabilondo Garcia, 20, and Daniel Cabanillas Ayllon, a 25-year-old striker.

On the negative side, Nigel Rizzo and Matthew Borg will miss out because of suspension.

First round: Valletta vs Melita 5-1.