Birkirkara start favourites to keep the pressure at the top of the standings by beating lowly Dingli. The Stripes have been in excellent form lately, notching five wins and a draw from the last six matches.

Birkirkara are looking to strengthen their squad during the January transfer window to add cover for eventual injuries or suspensions but so far their efforts have been unsuccessful.

Coach Paul Zammit is sure to be without Shaun Bajada, suspended, while George Mallia is still nursing a knee injury. Angus Buhagiar and Trevor Cilia will have a late fitness test.

Dingli are still reeling from their 2-1 upset to Hibernians last weekend. The Swallows felt hard-done by some controversial referee decisions that went against them in that match.

Coach Jesmond Zammit is hoping his players will show the same spirit as they look to pick up some valuable points in their bid to gain lost ground in the relegation battle.

Dingli are expected to be at full strength with Joseph Okonkwo available for selection before leaving for a trial in Dubai later this month.

First round: Dingli vs Birkirkara 1-3.

Msida St Joseph vs Valletta (today at 4 p.m., National Stadium).

Valletta, so much in the news lately for their on and off-field problems following the upset to Sliema and the spat with the MFA over the professional training scheme, should get back to winning ways today by beating Msida.

The Citizens were pushed outside the top two places in the standings following the 3-1 defeat to Sliema so they will be looking for a convincing display that would lift the spirits of both players and fans.

Msida might have other ideas though as they have already held the Citizens to a draw this season in the corresponding first-round fixture.

Valletta coach Ton Caanen is sure to be without skipper Gilbert Agius, who serves the first of a two-match ban. Jordi Cruyff and Declan O'Brien are both unavailable but Cleaven Frendo could make his first start after his loan move to Tarxien fell through earlier this week.

Msida, now under the charge of Keith Gouder, are still without Zoran Levniac who is on a trial in Tunisia while Adrian Farrugia and Adam Spiteri are not 100 per cent fit.

First round: Valletta vs Msida 0-0.

Floriana vs Ħamrun Spartans

(tomorrow at 2 p.m., Tedesco Stadium).

This is a direct clash between two teams who will fight tooth and nail for a place in the Championship Pool.

Floriana suffered a dip in form lately as three successive defeats saw them slump to sixth place, level on points with Tarxien Rainbows.

Zoran Popovic, Floriana's new coach, is aware that his team cannot afford to drop further points to maintain their challenge for a top-six finish and victory over the Spartans would inject some much-needed confidence back into the team after a bleak patch.

Floriana are still seeking compensation from former coach Roddy Collins following his sudden departure. Tomorrow, they could field a new foreign player, a Russian defender currently on trial with the club. Serbian goalkeeper Goran Jovanovic is no longer on the Floriana books after featuring in Monday's match against Tarxien.

Clifton Ciantar and Christian Caruana are out with a one-match ban while Duncan Pisani and Orosco Anonam are rated as doubtful.

Ħamrun were unable to maintain the promising start in their last match against Birkirkara.

Coach Stephen D'Amato has almost a full compliment at his disposal as Diego Armando Cucciardi returns from suspension while Jonathan Holland, Neville Galea and Mark Anthony Bonnici have all recovered full fitness. Aaron Attard is the only absentee as he is recovering from a knee injury.

First round: Ħamrun vs Floriana 0-1.

Sliema Wanderers vs Tarxien Rainbows

(tomorrow at 4 p.m., Tedesco Stadium).

This match brings together two teams high on confidence following their exploits of the previous week.

The Wanderers ended a poor run of form with an eye-catching 3-1 win over Valletta while the Rainbows put their Championship Pool aspirations back on track with a 2-1 win over Floriana.

Sliema coach Stephen Azzopardi was relieved to see his charges back to winning ways as the three points won at Valletta's expense infused self-confidence in his players as they look to climb towards the top places in the standings.

Azzopardi is boosted by the return from suspension of Clayton Failla but Julio Alcorse's debut for the Blues could be postponed by yet another week as the Wanderers are still waiting his international clearance.

Tarxien coach Noel Coleiro must have been pleased with his team following the victory over Floriana and will be keen to see his players maintain the same kind of rhythm as they seek to distance themselves from the bottom places.

Coleiro has a full squad available as Ryan Mintoff is now back in training. The Rainbows will have Justin Grioli in their squad after the right-back finalised his loan move from Valletta in time for the match.

First round: Tarxien vs Sliema 3-1