Qormi vs Birkirkara (today at 14.00, National Stadium).
Early pace-setters Qormi are determined to end the first round on top but the task awaiting them this afternoon is a difficult one as they will be up against the in-form Birkirkara.
Qormi have 19 points from nine matches, three more than the Stripes who are up to third after winning their last two games.
"We're in for a difficult game against a team who are on a roll," Jesmond Zerafa, the Qormi coach, said.
"That said, I've got faith in my team. Our aim is to collect more points and secure our Championship Pool objective as quickly as possible."
Zerafa is hopeful of having a full squad today, bar Sharlon Pace.
The 28-year-old defender-cum-midfielder is reportedly eyeing a return to Valletta after quitting Qormi for personal reasons.
Like Qormi, Birkirkara had a break from competitive football last weekend as they were not involved in the fourth round matches of the Anniversary Cup following their elimination in the previous round.
In their last outing, Birkirkara came from a goal down to sink Msida 4-1. Paul Zammit, the Birkirkara coach, is pleased with his team's showings of late.
"Our last performances were a reflection of the squad's bold work and commitment since the start of the season," Zammit said.
"Now, the most important thing for us is to sustain this momentum. Consistency is the key to success and the table shows that Qormi have been the most consistent team in the league so far.
"Qormi have built a squad to challenge for the top positions in the table and I expect nothing but a hard game against them."
Zammit is concerned about the fitness of a host of key players, all struggling with minor injuries, namely Trevor Cilia, Angus Buhagiar, Sylvano Comvalius and Shaun Bajada. Karl Pulo is still recovering from a long-term injury.
Hibs vs Sliema Wanderers (today at 16.00, National Stadium).
Back-to-back wins in league and cup matches and the return from injury of several first-choice players have enhanced Hibs' optimism of taking maximum points from their clash with Sliema.
For their part, the Blues can ill-afford to drop more points after gaining just one from their last two matches. On a better note, Sliema advanced to the quarter-finals of the Anniversary Cup last weekend after a 4-1 victory over St Patrick.
Hibs coach Mark Miller must make at least two changes from the team that beat Marsaxlokk 3-0 in the Anniversary Cup as goalkeeper Mario Muscat must serve a one-match ban following his red card against Tarxien and young Elkien Cauchi is injured.
Ben Camilleri and Aaron Xuereb are making progress in their race for full fitness and could be in the squad today. Midfielders Rumen Galabov and Christian Callejas are back in the reckoning after injuries had kept them out of Hibs' last few matches.
For Sliema, Clayton Failla and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza are doubtful while Ian Ciantar is down with flu. Stephen Azzopardi, the Sliema coach, is also plagued by the absence of defender Clifford Gatt Baldacchino who received a
two-match ban for his red card in the 1-1 draw with Floriana.
Striker Henry Isaac is unavailable for the Blues as he is on trial with a club in Vietnam.
Msida St Joseph vs Floriana (tomorrow at 14.00, Hibs Ground).
Msida received a boost in midweek when winger Miguel Ciantar, formerly of Sliema, agreed to join them on loan until the end of the season. The Malta U-21 midfielder is set to make his debut for Msida tomorrow.
Mark Marlow, the Saints coach, is also boosted by the return of midfielder Zoran Levnaic who has recovered from hamstring trouble. Kevin Mifsud is a doubt as he missed training this week due to illness.
Floriana coach Roddy Collins has seen his casualty list grow in recent weeks. Brian Said, Clifton Ciantar, Julian Briffa and Luke Agius are all expected to miss this match. Christian Cassar and Sunday Eboh are long-term absentees after undergoing surgery on ruptured knee ligaments.
On the plus side, Orosco Anonam is back in the frame after suspension forced him to miss the 1-1 draw with Sliema.
Irish striker Anthony Flood joined the Greens for a trial this week.
The former Shelbourne forward was lured to Malta by Collins who is keen to sign Flood as a third foreign player when the transfer window opens next month.
Dingli Swallows vs Valletta (tomorrow at 16.00, Hibs Ground).
Title favourites Valletta resume their league campaign with a game against basement team Dingli.
The Citizens cruised into the quarter-finals of the Anniversary Cup after wins over Gozo FC (7-0) and Vittoriosa Stars (3-0) in their last two matches but coach Ton Caanen is expected to reshuffle his formation for this game.
Defender Luke Dimech and Doding Priso are suspended but on the plus side Cleaven Frendo is poised to make his long-awaited return after completing his rehabilitation from a cruciate operation.
Dingli coach Jesmond Zammit will probably adopt a damage-limitation policy tomorrow.
Brazilian midfielder Andre Rocha da Silva is unlikely to play the full 90 minutes due to a persistent hamstring injury.