Vittoriosa Stars and Naxxar Lions have 90 minutes to save their Premier League future when the two Relegation Pool strugglers go head-to-head at the Tedesco Stadium this evening (kick-off: 19.00).

At present just one point separates Vittoriosa Stars from second-bottom Naxxar Lions and both teams will go out to take all three points today as they look to avoid joining Rabat Ajax in Division One next season.

The Cottonera team, who beat Qormi 2-0 last week to stay in the reckoning, are at full strength and will approach the match in high spirits.

In fact, Oliver Spiteri’s men have shown remarkable form lately as three successive victories have pushed them out of the drop zone.

Today, a point will also do for Vittoriosa to extend their stay in the top flight into a second year.

Not the same can be said of Naxxar.

After missing out on a Championship Pool berth by a whisker, the Lions seem to have gone off the boil. With just two wins from their last nine matches, they’re on the brink of an immediate return to Division One.

One major statistic in favour of Naxxar is that they have avoided defeat in all three previous encounters against Vittoriosa this season. Two matches ended in a draw and the other was won by the Lions 1-0.

Naxxar coach Winston Muscat is boosted by the return of three first-teamers – goalkeeper Julian Azzo-pardi, defender David Reano and attacking midfielder Gilmar.

They’re back in the squad after missing the 2-0 defeat to Floriana due to suspension.