Birkirkara coach Drazen Besek faces a selection headache ahead of today’s clash with Mosta as the Stripes look to revive their title ambitions after back-to-back defeats to Balzan and Hibernians.
Besek is particularly short of options in defence as Serbian defender Nikola Vukanac has been ruled out for the rest of the season after tearing a muscle against Hibs last week.
Mauricio Mazzetti Latini is also out with a quad problem along with left-back Joseph Zerafa who is nursing a hamstring injury.
Midfielder Edmond Agius and Ryan Darmanin are also sidelined.
Mosta are buoyed by the return of winger Dyson Falzon who has resumed training after recovering from a knee injury.
Midfielder Onyekachi Okonkwo must serve a one-match ban.
Previous results: Mosta vs Birkirkara 1-1, 0-3.
Greens without Villa, Juninho
Floriana will be without Mauricio Villa and Juninho, both suspended, for their clash with Naxxar Lions this afternoon.
The Greens, who will be striving to get their top-four charge back on track, welcome back defender Enrico Pepe and midfielder Antonio Monticelli who were suspended for 1-0 upset to Balzan.
Clyde Borg is rated doubtful with a knee injury.
Naxxar, on a high after a 2-1 win over Sliema Wanderers bolstered their relegation hopes, are still without midfielder Ryan Grech, who has yet to complete a two-match ban, but otherwise coach Clive Mizzi has no selection problems.
Previous results: Naxxar Lions vs Floriana 0-1, 1-2.
Hibernians suffer Jorge blow
Hibernians suffered an unexpected blow this week with the news that Brazilian striker Jorge Santos Silva (picture) is facing a long spell on the sidelines with a muscle tear.
The champions, buoyed by their win over Birkirkara, will look to keep the pressure on leaders Valletta with victory over Qormi.
Coach Branko Nisevic must also cope without Brazilian right-back Marcelo Dias who received a one-match ban in midweek.
Equatorial Guinea defender Rui Da Gracia Gomes is still out with a knee injury while Clayton Failla will undergo a late fitness test on a muscle problem.
Qormi, in desperate need of points to revive their hopes of avoiding the drop, will be without striker Ryan Micallef, who is struggling with a knee injury, while Terence Vella and Clifford Gauci are rated as doubtful after picking up knocks in the 2-0 reverse against Valletta.
Previous results: Qormi vs Hibernians 1-2, 2-4.
Blues hope to get out of the woods
Sliema’s interim coach Ivan Woods will be hoping to make an instant impact on the squad as the under-fire Blues look to put a difficult week behind them when they face Tarxien Rainbows.
On Thursday, the Sliema committee decided to relieve coach Stephen Azzopardi of his duties in the aftermath of their 2-1 defeat to Naxxar Lions, putting Woods in temporary charge.
Reports claim that Alfonso Greco is favourite to return for a second spell at the helm of Sliema but Mark Miller and Jesmond Zerafa have also been mentioned.
Sliema defender Luke Dimech is still recovering from a thigh injury while Nigerian striker Saviour Fidelis was to have his condition assessed yesterday.
Tarxien coach Jacques Scerri is without wing-back Timothy Tabone Desira who picked up a groin injury in the 1-1 draw against St Andrew’s.
Previous results: Tarxien vs Sliema 2-0, 3-2.
In-form City face improved Saints
Valletta will fancy their chances of keeping their grip on top spot when they face bottom side St Andrew’s.
The Citizens have been in excellent form as 10 wins from their last 11 matches have enabled them to begin the third round of the championship with a two-point lead over title rivals Hibernians.
Coach Paul Zammit could hand a recall to Tunisian winger Abdelkarim Nafti who has recovered from a foot injury.
St Andrew’s will be aware of the difficult task awaiting them against the league leaders but they go into the match in good spirits after their improved performances of late.
Equatorial Guinea defender Eloy Nkene is still away due to family bereavement while striker Matteo Desira Buttigieg is nursing an ankle injury.
Previous results: Valletta vs St Andrew’s 3-0, 4-0.