Crunch time for Spartans, Greens

Hamrun vs Floriana (today at 6 p.m., National Stadium).
Two former heavyweights of Maltese football will seriously jeopardise their chances of maintaining their status if they fail to gather maximum spoils from this clash.

Bottom of the Relegation Pool after losing their last three matches, Hamrun know that another defeat would virtually seal their fate.

Michael Degiorgio, the Spartans coach, will surely demand a more committed effort from his boys after their meek surrender to Pietà.

Degiorgio is buoyed by the return from suspension of Patrick Ndah, Jonathan Magri Overend and Jonathan Francica but has to make do without Rupert Mangion. He is suspended. Ivan Zammit is still out of contention while Adam Mansueto has reportedly parted ways with the Spartans.

Floriana have a three-point gap over their impending opponents but they are also under increasing pressure to boost their salvation prospects after suffering back-to-back defeats to Pietà and Mosta.

Today, Floriana cannot field a full-strength team. Defenders Mario Caruana (hamstring) and Keith Fabri (knee) joined Ian Ciantar on the casualty list. Manolito Micallef is also struggling for fitness while midfielder Christian Caruana is banned.

Results this season - Hamrun Spartans vs Floriana 3-1, 2-4, 0-3.

Msida vs Marsaxlokk (tomorrow at 3 p.m., National Stadium).
Marsaxlokk's delight at their 1-0 victory over Sliema was blemished by news that the latter had lodged a protest over Steve Wellman's alleged ineligibility to play on Sunday.

Whatever the decision by the MFA Protests' Board, Marsaxlokk coach Ray Farrugia will encourage his players to carry their momentum into this game against Msida as they bid to tighten their grip on third place.

Marsaxlokk cannot field the 11 players who started last weekend's match. Farrugia must make at least three changes after Jamie Pace, Nuno Gomes and Andrè Schembri received a one-match ban. Midfielders Gareth Sciberras and Trevor Templeman are recovering from injuries.

The positive news for Marsaxlokk is that Charlò Magro is back from suspension and defender Shaun Tellus has regained his fitness.

Msida are still in search of their first victory in the Championship Pool.

With striker Ibrahim Babatunde back in the fray after injury, coach Todor Raykov is widely expected to effect some alterations to his formation. Defender Josef Mifsud is doubtful after he suffered a cut on his forehead against Birkirkara but otherwise all the other Msida players are at Raykov's disposal.

Results this season - Marsaxlokk vs Msida SJ 1-1, 1-0, 1-0.

Hibernians vs Sliema (tomorrow at 5 p.m., National Stadium).
The main themes in the build-up to this match have been protests, refereeing, misbehaving players and suspensions.

Apart from the inevitable hype created by Sliema's move to challenge their 1-0 defeat to Marsaxlokk in the MFA boardroom, significant coverage was devoted to the role played by Hibs in the turbulent finale to the 2-2 draw with Valletta as well as Sliema's mounting selection problems.

Mario Muscat, the Hibs goalkeeper, was hit by a two-match ban and removed from team captain until April 18 of next year after he was sent off for spitting at Valletta's Craig Dean.

Muscat was one of four Hibs players receiving a one-match ban in midweek, the others being Aaron Xuereb, Kenneth Spiteri and Clayton Failla.

Although Muscat regrets the spitting incident that led to his dismissal, he feels the punishment is too severe.

"I feel very sorry for what happened on Saturday," Muscat said.

"It was the first time in 15 years of top league football that I reacted so badly. I want to apologise to the players, the club and the fans.

"My reaction was caused by the frustration I felt at the unjust decisions which have hit my team badly this season and the provocation I received during the said incident.

"I accept the two-match ban but to be stripped of the team's captaincy for a year is too severe."

Hibs coach Robert Gatt will resume his place in the dug-out tomorrow after seeing out a two-match ban. In addition to the four suspended players, Gatt is also plagued by the absence through injury of Peter Pullicino and Ben Camilleri. Terence Scerri and Jonathan Pearson are nearing the end of their rehabilitation from injuries and could be in the squad.

Doncic's ban removed

Sliema's hopes of relaunching their title challenge are hindered by the absence of various key players.

Originally Sliema had Mauro Di Lello, Daniel Bogdanovic and Danilo Doncic on the suspensions' chart but the latter was deleted from the list yesterday after the MFA realised that the Serbian has yet to accumulate four yellow cards.

Doncic's availability is a boost for Edward Aquilina. The likes of Joe Brincat, Orosco Anonam, Jeffrey Chetcuti, Joseph Farrugia and David Carabott are out of the frame for today's game while midfielder Stefan Giglio has a slight chance of recovering in time to face the Paolites.

Results this season - Sliema vs Hibs 3-0, 0-2, 3-0.