Title chasers City eye first Tarxien win

Hibs vs Qormi (today at 8 p.m., National Stadium)

Six points off the top, champions Hibs need no-one to remind them that one or two more slip-ups in the home straight would all but end their bid to defend the title they won last season.

No doubt, Mark Miller's wounded team will be looking to launch their Championship Pool trek on a flying note but theirs promises to be an arduous task as they will face a Qormi side equally determined to return to winning ways and boost their top-three chances.

Both teams have looked somewhat jaded lately as Hibs are without a win in their last six matches and Qormi slipped to a 2-0 defeat to Birkirkara in their last league outing.

The Paolites are still without defender Ryan Camilleri who is recovering from a knee injury while wing-back Edward Herrera must serve a one-match ban.

Jesmond Zerafa, the Qormi coach, must make do without defender Stephen Wellman, suspended.

Results so far: Qormi vs Hibs 3-1, 2-2.

Msida St Joseph vs Dingli Swallows (tomorrow at 2 p.m., Hibs Stadium)

Msida will have high hopes of completing a treble of wins over fellows-in-distress Dingli Swallows but the latter know that another defeat would virtually seal their relegation fate.

With only two points and six matches remaining, Dingle need a minor miracle to drag themselves back into the race to avoid the drop but a win tomorrow would surely go some way towards lifting their flailing spirits.

As for Msida, this match is a must-win affair as the Saints desperately need the points to reduce the gap on the two teams above them, Floriana and Ħamrun Spartans.

Keith Gouder, the Msida coach, is hampered by the absence of two key players as goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo and midfielder Zoran Levnaic are both ruled out by suspension.

Dingli coach Jesmond Zammit has his fair share of problems as he is sweating on the fitness of Andre Rocha Da Silva (ankle), Kevin Borg and Matthew Borg (both hamstring).

Results so far: Dingli Swallows vs Msida 1-2, 1-2.

Valletta vs Tarxien Rainbows (tomorrow at 4 p.m., Hibs Stadium)

Leaders Valletta face a tricky start to their Championship Pool campaign as they take on the in-form Tarxien Rainbows .

Back-to-back victories over Ħamrun Spartans (4-0) and Dingli Swallows (6-0) ensured that the Citizens will start the title run-in in pole position but level on 20 points with Birkirkara.

Tarxien have also looked impressive in recent weeks as seven successive positive results have not only guaranteed them a place in the Championship Pool but also put them through to the semi-finals of the National League 100 Anniversary Cup and the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy.

The Rainbows will be upbeat about their chances of putting on a strong showing against the Citizens as they are the only side in the top division not to lose to the title favourites so far this season.

Ton Caanen, the Valletta coach, can't bank on winger Doding Priso as the Cameroonian will complete his two-match ban tomorrow. Cleaven Frendo is also out after he picked up an ankle injury during the opening match of the Gozo Cup last weekend.

The Dutch coach is boosted by the return of captain Gilbert Agius and Terrence Scerri after both missed the Dingli rout through suspension.

Noel Coleiro, the Tarxien coach, is set to field the same team that obtained a 4-1 extra-time win over Floriana in an FA Trophy second round tie last weekend.

Results so far: Tarxien Rainbows vs Valletta 2-2, 2-2.