Hamrun Spartans and Marsaxlokk will be all out for the three points on Friday at the Victor Tedesco Stadium as they hope to move closer to securing a place in the Championship Pool.

The two teams share the fifth place on 19 points, four behind fourth-placed Birkirkara and three ahead of seventh placed Sliema Wanderers.

The Spartans aim at returning to winning ways after suffering three defeats to Floriana, Hibernians and Birkirkara in their last three outings. Marsaxlokk, on the other hand, won just one of the last eight matches but managed to hold leaders Valletta in a goalless draw last week.

Rumen Galabov is ruled out for the Southseasiders while Carlo Mamo and Clive Brincat are both in doubt. Martin Hrubsa is injured for Hamrun while Roderick Fenech and Dene Shields are on the way to recovery. Dyson Falzon will be making his debut after joining the club on loan with Valletta as part of the deal which took Ryan Fenech to the Citizens. Rupert Mangion is suspended.

In the first round, Marsaxlokk registered a 2-1 win.

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