After beating rivals Mosta 2-1 in their last outing, Naxxar Lions will be aiming for maximum points on Friday as they take on Pembroke Athleta in the only match from the BOV Premier League at the National Stadium.

The win over Mosta brought to an end a negative run of seven consecutive defeats and put them three points clear of St. Andrews and five ahead of bottom-placed Qormi. Another three points on Friday would therefore give them a comfortable lead over the bottom duo and put them just four points behind ninth-placed Pembroke.

Pembroke failed to win any of their last four matches although they held Hibernians in a 1-1 draw just before the break. In their last outing, they lost 0-2 to Sliema.

Former Pembroke striker Demba Toure is ruled out through suspension for Naxxar.

In the previous rounds, Pembroke defeated Naxxar 5-1 and 2-0.