Tarxien hope to upset neighbours Hibernians

Tarxien Rainbows will be hoping to upset neighbours Hibernians as the two teams cross swords in one of the four BOV Premier League matches in programme at the National Stadium and the Hibernians Stadium.

Birkirkara and Floriana chase precious points in a direct clash between two teams lying fourth and fifth, Pembroke Athleta face Mosta in a clash between the bottom two while Gzira United take on St. Andrews.

Hibernians vs Tarxien Rainbows, kick-off 14:00 at National Stadium
Following a dramatic win over St. Andrews last week, Hibernians will be all out to take the three points as they face neighbours Tarxien Rainbows in the derby. A win which would put them, at least temporarily, on top the BOV Premier League table. The Paolites won three out of their last five matches but suffered a defeat to Birkirkara two weeks ago. Tarxien, on the other hand, are unbeaten in eight matches, holding Balzan and Valletta in draws in their last two outings.

The two teams are expected to be in full strength as they welcome Marcelo Dias and Alex da Paixao Alves after serving one-match bans.

In the first round, Hibs defeated Tarxien 2-1.

Birkirkara vs Floriana, kick-off 16:00 at National Stadium
Birkirkara and Floriana both aim for a win as they cross swords in a direct clash between two teams who are still hoping to challenge for honours. The Stripes registered two back-to-back 2-1 wins over Hibernians and Gzira while Floriana bounced back from two defeats to Sliema and Gzira with a comfortable 4-0 win over Mosta.

Floriana welcome back Antonio Monticelli but Clyde Borg is suspended. Birkirkara, on the other hand, should be in full strength.

In the first round, the two teams shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Pembroke Athleta vs Mosta, kick-off 14:00 at Hibernians Stadium
Pembroke Athleta and Mosta will both be all out to emerge victorious from this basement clash as they both aim at avoiding automatic relegation to Division 1. Just one point separates the two teams with Pembroke lying one point ahead of the Blues.

Mosta won just one out of the last fifteen matches while Pembroke won just one out of the last ten games but are coming from a 1-1 draw with Sliema in their last outing. Mosta, on the other hand, suffered a heavy 0-4 defeat to Floriana.

Pembroke are expected to be in full strength while Mosta welcome back Kurt Magro, Kyle Frendo and Adrian Caruana but Njongo Priso and Tyrone Farrugia are suspended.

In the first round, Pembroke defeated Mosta 3-0.

Gzira United vs St. Andrews, kick-off 16:00 at Hibernians Stadium
Gzira United will be all out to take the three points home from the clash with St. Andrews in order to avoid losing ground in the battle against relegation especially since either Pembroke and Mosta could get maximum points from the other clash. However St. Andrews need the points to steer away further from the danger zone.

The Maroons are coming from a narrow defeat to Birkirkara but lost four out of the last five matches. The Saints, who are coming from a narrow defeat to Hibernians, lost two out of the last three matches but have gone six matches without a win.

Joseph Farrugia will be back for St. Andrews but Karlo Kesinovic is suspended. Gzira could not count on the suspended Souleymane Diamoutene.

In the first round, St. Andrews defeated Gzira 1-0.