Ħamrun Spartans and Msida St Joseph will renew their rivalry this afternoon in their first direct clash since being promoted back to the Premier League as replacements for demoted duo Marsaxlokk and Vittoriosa Stars.
The Spartans are under intense pressure to end a dismal run of four successive defeats with a win over the Saints who have two points from four matches.
Steve D'Amato, the Ħamrun coach, will surely demand a bold response from his players after their 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Sliema Wanderers.
Jonathan Holland and Mark Anthony Bonnici are in line for a recall to the Spartans' squad after recovering from injuries but Brazilian striker Marcelo Pereira is still out of the picture as he must serve the second of a two-match ban.
John Debattista is out with a long-term injury and Timothy Fleri Soler is ranked doubtful. The Spartans were expected to hold contract talks yesterday with Portuguese player Mawete after the latter left a good impression during a trial.
Msida coach Mark Marlow is expected to pick the same 11 players who started last weekend's 1-1 draw with Tarxien Rainbows.
Neville Arpa is still recuperating from influenza and Iro Curmi is in the final stages of his recovery from a quad injury.
Birkirkara vs Floriana (today at 5 p.m., National Stadium)
Birkirkara and Floriana failed to take maximum spoils in their last matches but while the Stripes earned the plaudits after coming from two goals down to draw with Hibs, the Greens were on the receiving end of a surprise defeat against newcomers Dingli Swallows.
Thomas Paris is out of contention for Birkirkara after receiving a one-match ban for his red card in the two-all draw with the champions. Young midfielder Rowen Muscat is also expected to miss today's match as he has yet to fully recover from an ankle problem.
On the plus side, Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit has goalkeeper Jorge Mora back in the frame after the Spaniard completed his two-match suspension.
Floriana coach Roddy Collins was distraught after his team paid the price for their failure to turn their superior possession into goals against Dingli. The Irishman is not expected to make drastic changes to his starting line-up. Christian Cassar and Sunday Eboh are sidelined with cruciate knee injuries.
Dingli Swallows vs Sliema Wanderers (tomorrow at 3 p.m., National Stadium)
After going down to the likes of Qormi and Tarxien, Sliema Wanderers know that there is no room for complacency when facing the so-called minnows of the Premier League.
The Blues received a much-needed boost last weekend after beating Ħamrun 5-0 but Dingli, Sliema's opponents tomorrow, are also on a high after gaining their first points of the season with a 2-1 win over Floriana.
Stephen Azzopardi, the Sliema coach, is expected to field the same team as for last Saturday's game against Ħamrun. Alex Muscat and John Mintoff are ruled out by injuries while Nigerian striker Henry Isaac is doubtful.
For Dingli, Andre Rocha Da Silva is making good progress in his rehabilitation from a hamstring problem but coach Jesmond Zammit is unlikely to risk the Brazilian if he is not 100 per cent fit. Zammit is likely to select the same players who began Sunday's win over Floriana.
Tarxien vs Qormi (tomorrow at 5 p.m., National Stadium)
This match is a clash between two contenders for a top-six place this season.
Tarxien and Qormi have had a positive start as their position in the top half of the standings shows. Qormi suffered their first defeat in five matches last Monday after going down 2-0 to Valletta while Tarxien drew 1-1 with Msida in their last outing.
Noel Coleiro, the Tarxien coach, has no selection problems. Andrew Decesare missed the match against Msida with a foot injury but he is available to face Qormi.
Jesmond Zerafa, the Qormi coach, is sweating on the fitness of Joseph Farrugia who was stretchered off after suffering a foot injury in the second half of the defeat to Valletta. Steve Meilak is certain to miss tomorrow's match after picking up an injury in the closing stages of Monday's match.