Hibernians vs Pietà Hotspurs (today at 4pm, Hibs Stadium).
Hibernians are clear favourites to maintain their unbeaten record when they take on relegation-troubled Pietà this afternoon.
The Paolites won their last three matches, scoring 11 goals in the process, to preserve a healthy eight-point lead at the top.
Today, they will be strengthened with the return from suspension of top scorer Luis Edison.
Marcelo Dias is still hampered by ankle trouble but Jonathan Pearson is set to return after making progress on a knee injury.
Striker Andre Luis is also expected to be included in the squad but Jorginho, the Brazilian striker, is doubtful with an adductor injury.
Pietà know they’re facing a mammoth task to return home with something in their bags but they will do everything they can to avoid defeat.
The Hotspurs, one point off the drop zone at the wrong end of the standings, have Argentine forward Claudio Frances available after suspension and expect midfielder Ricardo Costa and forward Charles Newuche to be fit enough to make the squad.
Previous results: Pietà Hotspurs vs Hibernians 1-3, 0-3.
Mosta vs Qormi (today at 2pm, Tedesco Stadium).
These two teams are both battling the spectre of relegation after a series of poor results.
Mosta’s 3-0 defeat to Birkirkara have left them three points off 11th placed Tarxien so they will be looking to win this match and move to a safer position in the standings.
The Blues will have midfielder Ryan Grech back from suspension but winger Haruna Babangida is still out with a pulled hamstring. Ian Zammit is also a doubt after straining a muscle in his last showing for Mosta.
Qormi, too, are desperate for a win that could lift them off the bottom of the standings.
Today, the Yellow Blacks will be without striker Ryan Micallef who is suspended while Joseph Chetcuti is doubtful with a groin injury.
Previous results: Qormi vs Mosta 4-0, 1-3.
Birkirkara vs Sliema (today at 4.15pm, Tedesco Stadium).
This is a tricky test for second-placed Birkirkara.
The Stripes cannot afford to drop points to put Hibs under some sort of pressure but they’re in for a tough test against a Sliema Wanderers side that have shown considerable improvement before last week’s feeble showing in a 1-1 draw against Pietà.
Paul Zammit, the Birkirkara coach, can again bank on forward Eliandro who is 100 per cent fit after hamstring trouble while Edward Herrera should make the starting line-up if he shrugs off a niggling foot injury suffered in training.
The Wanderers will have to do without striker Djumo Bocar, who is suspended. His absence could provide an opening for Michael Mifsud to make his first start since returning from a long spell on the sidelines.
John Mintoff is okay after a knock against the Hotspurs last week but Andrea Scozzese (ankle) and Stefano Bianciardi (arm) remain sidelined.
Previous results: Sliema vs Birkirkara 1-0, 1-1.
Naxxar Lions vs Żebbuġ Rangers (tomorrow at 2pm, National Stadium).
A potential relegation six-pointer looms as these two teams are sitting just outside the drop zone in the standings.
With just one point separating Żebbuġ and Naxxar a win for either side could have a massive impact on both teams’ fortunes for the rest of the season.
Naxxar go into this match with a full squad and with the added psychological edge of having beaten Rangers 4-0 in a second round meeting last month.
Żebbuġ will be keen to put behind them the poor showing against Hibs last week, which saw them conceding a 5-0 defeat.
Rangers coach Alfonso Greco is likely to give midfielder Carlo Monti a place in his starting XI as it seems that the Scot has won his battle for fitness.
Previous results: Żebbuġ vs Naxxar 3-3, 0-4.
Valletta vs Tarxien Rainbows (tomorrow at 4pm, National Stadium).
Champions Valletta should make it two wins in a row as they come up against a depleted Tarxien side.
The Citizens are in high spirits after a spirited performance in the 3-1 defeat of Qormi, attained despite having a player less for the entire second half.
Ivan Zammit, the Valletta coach, must make at least one change tomorrow as defender Steve Borg was slapped with a one-match ban in midweek. Striker Lateef Elford Alliyu could make the squad after failing to recover in time for the previous match.
Tarxien have four first-teamers missing as striker Soli Mouhamed starts a two-match ban while defender Owen Bugeja and midfielders Carlos Hevia and Firas Aboulezz are also ineligible due to suspension.
Previous results: Tarxien vs Valletta 0-0, 0-6.