After beating Valletta in their last outing, Zebbug Rangers will be all out to upset leaders Hibernians in one of the four BOV Premier League matches in programme on Saturday.
Balzan hope to return to winning ways as they take on Naxxar Lions, Sliema Wanderers seek a third consecutive win as they face Pietà Hotspurs while Tarxien Rainbows hope to end their disappointing run as they meet Floriana.
Pieta’ Hotspurs vs Sliema Wanderers, kick-off 14:00 at Hibernians Stadium
After beating Mosta 2-1 and Tarxien 3-2 in their last two games, Sliema target a third consecutive win which could put them in fourth place, two points behind Valletta, should both Balzan and Floriana fail to win. The Hotspurs, on the other hand, lost 0-2 to Floriana and seek a positive result from this game as they currently lie joint-second from bottom.
Orosco Anonam returns for Pietà but Claudio Frances is suspended. Stefano Bianciardi is ruled out injured for Sliema.
The Wanderers defeated Pietà 2-0 and 2-1 in the first two rounds.
Zebbug Rangers vs Hibernians, kick-off 16:00 at Hibernians Stadium
Hibernians hope to extend their unbeaten record to twenty-four matches with the twenty-first win of this campaign as they host Zebbug but this should not be an easy game considering that the Rangers are coming from an impressive 3-2 win over Valletta last week. A win which put Alfonso Greco’s side in eighth place. The Paolites registered a narrow 2-1 win over Qormi to stay eight points ahead of Birkirkara and move eleven points ahead of Valletta.
Edison Luis dos Santos serves a one-match ban for Hibernians while Luis Andre and Marcelo Dias are both recovering from injuries. Lee Galea returns for Zebbug after serving a suspension.
Hibs defeated Zebbug 4-0 and 5-2 in the first two rounds.
Tarxien Rainbows vs Floriana, kick-off 14:00 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
After losing to Hibernians and Sliema, Tarxien aim for a positive result from this clash with Floriana as they hope to climb up the table but Floriana – who are coming from a 2-0 win over Pietà – target a win to move to just one point behind rivals Valletta.
Amadou Samb returns for Floriana after a four-match ban but Matteo Piciollo and Sacha Borg are suspended.
The first two clashes between Floriana and Tarxien ended in 1-1 draws.
Naxxar Lions vs Balzan, kick-off 16:15 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
After collecting just one point from the last two matches following a defeat to Pietà and a draw with Mosta, Balzan cannot afford any result other than a win in order to avoid losing the fourth place they currently share with Floriana. However Naxxar, who are joint-second from bottom together with Pietà and Tarxien, also seek a positive result following a good performance despite a 0-1 defeat to Birkirkara last week.
David Fenech and Frank Temile return for Naxxar after serving a one-match ban.
In the first round, the two teams shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw but Naxxar registered a 3-1 win in the second round.