Leaders Hibernians will be hoping to move four points clear on top the BOV Premier League table as they take on Mqabba in one of the two matches in programme at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Friday.

The Paolites collected maximum points from the last six matches, beating Mosta 2-0 in their last outing. They now aim at beating Mqabba and hope champions Valletta drop points in the game against Floriana which will be played on Sunday.

Their task will be no easy one considering that newly-promoted Mqabba lost just one of the last five matches – against Valletta – and are coming from a narrow win over Qormi. Mqabba are currently joint-fifth together with Qormi and Birkirkara and hope to continue collecting precious points.

Douglas Balbinot is recovering from an injury for Hibernians. Mqabba, on the other hand, hope to recover one or more players who lost the game to Qormi last week.

Meanwhile in the second game, Mosta take on Sliema Wanderers.

Mosta are currently anchored at the bottom of the table as they lost six of the seven matches played so far and are coming from four successive defeats, losing to Hibernians last Monday. Friday’s game poses another challenge for Oliver Spiteri’s side to register the first win.

Sliema succumbed to their first defeat on Monday as they allowed Hamrun Spartans to come from behind and beat them 4-2. During the same game, the Wanderers lost in-form goalkeeper Henry Bonello who is also ruled out of this game. Against Mosta, they will be aiming for the three points, in order not to lose ground with the top three teams.

Mosta defender Yannick Ossok is ruled out as he serves a one-match ban.