Marsaxlokk vs Floriana (today at 2 p.m., National Stadium)
Languishing at the wrong end of the table, Marsaxlokk desperately need a victory to climb out of the drop zone and resurrect their fading hopes of Championship Pool football.
Floriana have already made a giant step towards top-six football after gaining 21 points from 13 matches. Having lost 1-0 to Msida, the Greens ought to be ultra-motivated to get back to winning ways and make it a happy debut for new coach Antonio Carlos Vieira, of Brazil.
Floriana's formation today is not expected to differ much from the game against Msida as the club are still waiting for the transfer certificates of Brazilian striker Rodrigo Felix and German goalkeeper Steffen Scussner.
Captain Mauro Brincat is recovering from a knee operation.
Marsaxlokk coach Patrick Curmi is likely to stick with the team that lost 2-1 to Sliema last weekend.
On Thursday, Marsaxlokk parted with defender Stephen Wellman who has joined Qormi while William Camenzuli is in the second week of a 28-day club ban. Argentine striker Julio Alcorse is out of the reckoning for Marsaxlokk after being told by the club that his services were no longer required.
First round - Floriana vs Marsaxlokk 3-1.
Qormi vs Msida St Joseph (tomorrow at 12.45 p.m., Hibs Ground)
In the absence of Josivan Da Silva, suspended, and Alfred Effiong, injured, new signing Wellman could be handed the onus of leading Qormi's attack against Msida.
Coach Jesmond Zerafa is keen for his team to extend their unbeaten run to three matches after a 1-0 win over Tarxien and a 1-1 draw with Birkirkara. Qormi are second from bottom with 10 points.
With 18 points, Msida would virtually secure their place in the top six if they gain maximum points.
Brazilian striker Marcos Aurellio is still sidelined with a knee injury while Gozitan winger Chris Camilleri, a transfer target for Marsaxlokk, is not expected to play a part in this game.
Pedro Dos Santos Calcado has been linked with a move to an unnamed Spanish club but he is still training with Msida and should be available.
First round - Msida vs Qormi 1-1.
Tarxien Rainbows vs Valletta (tomorrow at 2.45 p.m., Hibs Ground)
Malta midfielder Roderick Briffa is expected to make his Valletta debut after completing his move from Sliema Wanderers yesterday.
The 27-year-old signed a five-year deal to become the latest addition to Valletta's star-studded squad. Brazilian midfielder Paulo Massaro is also set to make his first appearance in the Citizens' white shirt after his international transfer certificate arrived at the Malta FA offices this week.
The availability of Briffa and Massaro should compensate for the absence of Priso Doding and Edmond Agius, both suspended.
Coach Paul Zammit will check on the fitness of defender Josef Mifsud before finalising his team selection. Mifsud missed the 2-0 win over Hibs with a hip problem.
Rooted to the bottom of the table with only five points from 12 matches, Tarxien face a tall order to halt their negative run against the unbeaten champions. They should take heart from their 2-2 draw with Valletta in the first round.
Tarxien have signed goalkeeper Michael Falzon and defender Clifford Gatt Baldacchino on loan from Ħamrun and Sliema respectively.
The Rainbows have also acquired a Brazilian defender to replace Ivan Carapic who has returned to Serbia for family reasons.
However, until late yesterday afternoon, Tarxien had not received the all clear to register their new signing.
First round - Valletta vs Tarxien 2-2.