Sliema McDonald’s will be looking to turn up the heat on leaders Neptunes Emirates when the BOV National League continues this evening.

With the Reds not involved in today’s programme, the Blues have the opportunity to join their fierce rivals on top when they take on Sirens Ritter Sports in this evening’s second match.

Sergio Afric’s men are fancied to record their third successive victory over the St Paul’s Bay outfit this season.

Sliema come into this match on the back of a comfortable 14-10 victory over Exiles Jet Services on Saturday. Talisman John Soler made all the difference for the defending champions as he netted a poker of goals.

By contrast, Sirens endured another disappointing outing at the National Pool on Friday as they slumped to a 22-7 defeat to Neptunes.

As if a clash against the powerful Neptunes is not a big enough challenge, Sirens’ cause last weekend was further hampered by the absence of influential Hungarian player Tamas Varga.

Karl Izzo’s men must step up their game by several notches if they are to avoid a second consecutive defeat that would jeopardise their chances of challenging for a top-three berth this season.

Today’s opening match is between San Ġiljan Firetech and Exiles, two teams who will be determined to return to winning ways.

The Saints have had ample time to prepare for this game, mentally and tactically, as they had no commitments last weekend.

Having lost their last three matches, San Ġiljan will be ultra-motivated to end their negative run this evening. Victory against Exiles would take San Ġiljan two points clear of both Exiles and Sirens in the race for third place.

For their part, Exiles are upbeat about overpowering San Ġiljan, and their fighting display against Sliema on Saturday ought to have raised their spirits. They will again be looking to Aurelien Cousin to pile up the goals after the Frenchman hit six against the Blues.

Today’s Programme

National Pool: 6 p.m. Exiles vs San Ġiljan; 7.15 p.m. Sliema vs Sirens.