Without a win in their last three matches, Floriana are expected to raise their efforts in pursuit of a three-point haul but their mission promises to be anything but straightforward this afternoon.

The Greens will run into a Hibs team determined to cement their position in the upper segment of the Premier League table after a deserved 2-0 win over Birkirkara lifted them to fourth, level on 16 points with Hamrun Spartans and Marsaxlokk.

Given the tight nature of the race for a place in the Championship Pool, the two contestants will also view their second round encounter as an opportunity to steal a potentially decisive march on the chasing pack.

With his team having slipped from first to third in the standings after collecting just one point from their last three outings, Floriana coach Danilo Doncic sees today's match as critical.

"This match is almost crucial for us," Doncic told The Times.

"If we win, we will reclaim a top-two position and close in on a Championship Pool place but if we lose, we could drop to sixth or seventh in the standings after this weekend's matches.

"A defeat would leave us with a hard fight to win a Championship Pool place, that's why it's imperative that we don't finish empty-handed."

Doncic cannot select his line-up from a full squad as Serbian defender Darko Krsteski has yet to fully recuperate from a hamstring injury but is expected to be among the substitutes.

To compound matters for Doncic and the Greens, Zoran Levniac, their versatile Serbian midfielder, is ruled out by suspension after being reported by referee Alan Mario Sant for making an obscene gesture towards the fans at the end of last Saturday's derby.

Defender Mario Caruana is in line to be named in the 18-man squad after making steady progress in his recovery from a knee injury but his younger brother Christian is doubtful after picking up a knock in the 4-0 upset to Valletta.

Doncic admitted that Floriana's heavy loss to their rivals was a hammer blow for the team's morale but he's backing his players to hit back.

"Against Valletta we suffered our worst defeat so far this season," Doncic said.

"Losing by a four-goal margin was a massive disappointment. You can never be happy when you're beaten but the situation was different after we lost to Marsaxlokk and Birkirkara as those were close defeats. I think the players have realised that we need to get our act together and I'm confident that they will react strongly to the upset against Valletta."

The young Serbian coach anticipates a tough challenge from Hibs.

"Hibs are a very good team and have the best defensive record in the Premier League so far," Doncic said.

"They struggled a bit at the beginning of the season but their form is picking up. Nevertheless, I still believe that Floriana can beat Hibs again if our team play to its full potential."

In the corresponding first round fixture, Floriana extended their unbeaten run against Hibs to three matches thanks to a solitary strike by Christian Caruana.

Robert Gatt, the Hibs coach, is keen for his team to obtain their first win against the Greens since their 1-0 win in the 2005-06 FA Trophy final.

"It's high time we gain a victory over Floriana," Gatt said. "The last time we beat them was in the 2005-06 FA Trophy final.

"Although I'm positive about our chances, I also know that we have to fight hard to reach our aim.

"Floriana are coming from two defeats but they were playing well against Valletta until they fell behind."

With no injuries to worry about, Gatt is not expected to make changes to the team that impressed in the 2-0 defeat of Birkirkara.

The convincing manner with which Hibs disposed of Birkirkara appears to have renewed optimism in their title prospects.

"From day one of the season, we were confident of our team's ability to challenge for the title and nothing has changed," Gatt added.

"However, a sustained bid for the league championship depends on a number of factors like injuries, suspensions, form and consistency."

Tactical switch

Hibs have had a pleasingly narrow look about their midfield and defence in the last few matches after Gatt switched from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2.

"You can only choose a system according to the players you've got," Gatt said of his change in the team's tactical approach.

"We had a problem before because we were conceding many goals. Our aim was to address this shortcoming and get the right balance in the team."

Hibs' recent progress sheds a positive light on their work on the training pitch but Gatt complained that the decision by Malta U-21 coach Mark Miller to summon his players for two training sessions per week is disrupting his programme.

"I'm disappointed that, at this time of the year, the Malta U-21 players have been asked to report for training at Ta' Qali twice a week," Gatt insisted.

"The U-21s don't have a game until February but out of the blue, the players have been informed that they must train together for two days every week.

"At Hibs, we have several first-team players in the Malta U-21 squad and not having them with us for two days is disrupting our work.

"I think this is unfair on the clubs because we need to prepare for games by having the entire squad for training.

"Every fixture is important now, especially when one considers the balance that exists between the teams in the league."

First round result - Floriana vs Hibs 1-0.