Żebbuġ vs Birkirkara (today at 6.30pm, National Stadium).

Birkirkara start favourites to make it two wins out of two when they face Żebbuġ Rangers.

After a comfortable victory over Pietà last week, the Stripes are not expected to break extra sweat to see off a Żebbuġ team beaten by Balzan 4-2 in their opening match.

Birkirkara are still without goalkeeper Ini Aktpan while defender Joseph Zerafa and midfield duo Gareth Sciberras and Edmund Agius are set to undergo a late fitness test.

Jesmond Zammit, the Rangers coach, is expected to give a debut to Brazilian goalkeeper Fabricio Raspan after his registration was completed this week.

Żebbuġ, however, still have to complete the paperwork for Craig Beattie to play. Striker John Nwoba and defender Jonathan Xerri are out with knee injuries.

Naxxar Lions vs Balzan (today at 6.30pm, Tedesco Stadium).

Naxxar will have Senegalese striker Pape Gueye available for the match against Balzan as they look to bounce back from last week’s upset to Qormi.

Coach Winston Muscat was frustrated with his team’s poor showing in front of goal in the league opener and has moved quickly to bring in the towering Gueye who was on the books of Sliema last season.

Midfielder Sidney Nery da Silva has been ruled out for four weeks after suffering a knee injury against Qormi but on a brighter note for the Lions defender Ibok Edet and Victor Bellia return from suspension.

Balzan coach Oliver Spiteri has no injury worries as defender Samir Arab and Mark Spiteri returned to training this week after completing their rehabilitation.

Sliema vs Floriana (today at 20.30, National Stadium).

Old Firm rivals Sliema and Floriana will be looking to put behind them below-par showings when they go head-to-head tonight.

Alfonso Greco, the Sliema coach, cut a frustrated figure last week after seeing his charges drop two points following a late leveller conceded to Tarxien Rainbows.

The Italian, who has a full squad at his disposal, is keen to see his players show more sharpness in front of goal as the Blues look to kick-start their season.

Greco’s fellow countryman, Giovanni Tedesco, had little to smile about as well after seeing the Greens flounder in a 3-0 defeat to Hibernians.

The Floriana mentor will have new men to rely on in defence following the arrivals of Italian goalkeeper Valerio Senatore and Brazilian defender Douglas Cobo.

Both are expected to play today while midfielder Steve Pisani will make his first league appearance this season after missing the Hibs match through suspension.

Valletta vs Tarxien Rainbows (today at 8.45pm, Tedesco Stadium).

Valletta will be determined to chalk up their first win following the unexpected defeat to Mosta.

In their first showing as champions, the Citizens looked short in ideas. Coach Gilbert Agius will expect more cohesion in his team as Valletta look to regain some lost confidence at the expense of Tarxien Rainbows.

Valletta will have to do without midfielder Roderick Briffa again but Ryan Camilleri has recovered from the knock against Mosta and is available for selection.

Agius is still looking to bolster his ranks and will have a Brazilian striker on trial soon. Hamza Barry is still unavailable though due to visa problems.

Tarxien have shown they will be no easy opponents in the league following a battling performance in a 1-1 draw against Sliema.

Coach Clive Mizzi will be without Carlos Hevia, who aggravated a groin injury, but Firas Aboulezz could return from a foot injury.

Pietà Hotspurs vs Mosta (tomorrow at 6.30pm, National Stadium).

Buoyed by their victory over Valletta, Mosta will fancy their chances of notching a second successive win when playing Pietà tomorrow.

Mosta produced a lively display last week and coach Enrico Piccioni will be urging his players to show the same hunger and determination against the Hotspurs.

First, Piccioni must check on the fitness of Omar Borg before pencilling his team but if the goalkeeper fails to recover, newcomer Marcos Bernal Berlanga will most likely make his debut after joining the Blues this week.

Portuguese winger Fabio Paim, who also signed for Mosta on Thursday, is also available.

Tomorrow, the Hotspurs will have to do without Rafael Xavier Zacarias as the Brazilian defender starts a two-match ban.

On a more positive note, coach Noel Coleiro can bank on midfielder Claudio Frances whose registration was finally filed.

Coleiro could also have Serbian striker Nikola Pepelcevic available for selection provided the club complete his signing in time.