Four teams seek precious points in Relegation Pool clashes

Precious points will be at stake on Sunday as Marsaxlokk take on Hamrun Spartans and Qormi face Tarxien Rainbows in two matches from the Relegation Pool at the Hibernians Stadium on Sunday.

After claiming their first win since November, bottom-placed Marsaxlokk hope to continue where they had left with another positive result against Hamrun Spartans.

The Southseasiders lie one point behind Mqabba and two behind the Spartans and therefore a win would enable them to leapfrog the two teams and move in joint-ninth place.

The Spartans came back from two goals down to earn a point in a draw wit Mosta last week and are now keen to return to winning ways and move second in the Relegation Pool. They won just one of the last nine matches – a 6-2 win over Marsaxlokk in the second round but Marsaxlokk had defeated them 5-3 in the first round.

Matthew Gauci is suspended as he serves a one-match ban. For Marsaxlokk, Trevor Templeman will be back after missing the last game through suspension.

Meanwhile in the second game, Qormi will be all out to regain lost pride after losing to Marsaxlokk in their last outing as they take on Tarxien.

Stephen Azzopardi’s side won only two of the last seven matches and a win is a must to stay away from the danger zone.

Tarxien registered a morale-boosting win over Mqabba last week and another positive result on Sunday would put them on level points with Qormi.

Brazilian defender Everton Antonio Pereira is suspended while Manuel Caruana is ruled out injured. For Qormi, Roderick Sammut will be back after serving a two-match ban but Kenneth Scicluna is ruled out suspended while Federico Mirarchi and Abubakar Bello-Osagie are in doubt as they are recovering from injuries.

In the first round, Qormi registered a 4-1 win but Tarxien won 2-0 in the second.

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