Floriana, Hamrun out to gain first win

As Hibernians gear up for their clash with newly-promoted Mosta, they only need to cast their mind back to last Saturday's clash with Hamrun Spartans to grasp the importance of approaching every game with the right attitude.

Last Saturday, Hibernians needed a stunning goal from Andrew Cohen early in the second half to subdue the stiff resistance offered by the Spartans and prolong their unbeaten run to three matches.

Cohen is doubtful for today's match after picking up a knee injury that forced him to leave the pitch four minutes from the end of his side's 1-0 win over Hamrun.

Injury will also deprive Robert Gatt, the Hibs coach, of defender Ryan Mintoff and promising winger Ben Camilleri this afternoon.

Mosta saw three precious points slip through their grasp on Sunday when a last-gasp goal from Pietà Hotspurs goalkeeper Andrew Hogg tied the game at 3-3.

Paul Zammit, the Mosta coach, must make one change to his attack this afternoon after Nigerian striker Udochukwu Nwoko, signed on loan from Hibernians in the close season, was slapped with a one-match ban.

Floriana vs Hamrun Spartans (today at 6 p.m., National Stadium).

Floriana vs Hamrun Spartans is expected to unfold into a combative encounter, given their mutual determination to end their winless start to the season.

Hamrun are bottom of the standings on the zero mark whereas Floriana only have one point to show from four matches.

Beaten 4-2 by Msida St Joseph last weekend despite leading twice in the first half, Floriana will be without Adamo Mohammed Diao. The Senegalese defender received a one-match ban after his sending-off in his debut match against Msida.

Jan Artz, the Floriana stand-in coach, is expected to recall Keith Fabri, the former Hamrun defender, to his 18-man squad.

In the light of Hamrun's strong performance against Hibs, Michael Degiorgio, the Spartans coach, is not expected to make significant changes to his starting line-up.

Veteran midfielder Rupert Mangion is still sidelined with injury but new signing Ivan Zammit is close to recovering from a groin problem. Ryan Fenech has recouped his fitness and is expected to make the 18-man squad.

Msida St Joseph vs Marsaxlokk (tomorrow at 4 p.m., National Stadium).

Msida and Marsaxlokk experienced contrasting fortunes in their last outings before their head-to-head encounter.

Whereas Msida showed their character in coming from behind to beat Floriana 4-2, Marsaxlokk suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Valletta.

Marsaxlokk's disappointment was made worse by the sending-off of Malta U-21 forward Andrè Schembri who is now ineligible to lead his side's attack against Msida.

Defender Cesar Paiber is set to return to Marsaxlokk's squad after recovering from a cartilage operation but Shaun Tellus is still out.

Todor Raykov, the Msida coach, will send out his best formation as he has a full complement to choose from.

Birkirkara vs Pietà Hotspurs (tomorrow at 6 p.m., National Stadium).

Birkirkara will go all out to rediscover their winning touch after their 2-1 defeat to champions and title rivals Sliema Wanderers ended their run of 16 league matches without a defeat.

The Stripes start as firm favourites to collect maximum spoils but over the past few years, Pietà have shown a knack to produce their best performances in games against Birkirkara.

Stephen Azzopardi, the Birkirkara coach, is likely to reinstate Lino Galea to his starting formation after the left-back missed the defeat to Sliema through suspension.

Chucks Nwoko is also in line to earn a berth in the 18-man squad but reserve goalkeeper Bernard Paris is absent as he is on international duty with the Malta U-20 team.

Roderick Sammut is still recovering from a hand operation and Mark Anthony Bonnici, despite coming on in the second half of the game against Sliema, is still not 100 per cent fit.

Italian striker Angelo Sciuto is the only injury worry for Pietà Hotspurs coach Georgi Deanov.

Sciuto is struggling to shake off a knee injury and has been training on his own for the past few weeks.