Sliema Wanderers and Birkirkara cross swords in a direct clash for fourth place in one of the two BOV Premier League matches in programme on Sunday.

The two teams together with Qormi are currently fourth on 23 points, seven behind third-placed Floriana.

The Wanderers beat Marsaxlokk 2-0 in their last league game to extend their positive run which saw Danilo Doncic’s side collect two wins and five draws in the last seven matches. Birkirkara, on the other hand, defeated Mqabba in their last outing after collecting just one point from the previous three matches.

The Wanderers should be without Brazilian duo Jackson Lima Sequeira and Jorge Santos Silva who filed an official request demanding to be released. On the other hand, Ryan Fenech is back with the club after securing a loan from Valletta until the end of the season.

For Birkirkara, goalkeeper Reuben Gauci could make his debut after joining the club from Marsaxlokk. Spanish goalkeeper Jorge Mora is no longer a Birkirkara player while Rodrigo Pereira who was due to be released was retained by the Stripes after all. Andrew Decesare and Shola Shodiya are in doubt as they are recovering from injuries.

In the first round, Sliema defeated Birkirkara 1-0.

Meanwhile in the first match, Marsaxlokk take on Floriana.

The Greens start as firm favourites to claim the three points and close in on second-placed Hibernians. They won four of the last five matches.

Marsaxlokk, on the other hand, lost four out of the last five matches and currently lie at the bottom of the table with eleven points.

Over the past weeks, they lost a host of players, namely Carlos Campagnoli, Obinna Obiefule, Florent Raimy, Martin Deanov, Emiliano Lattes, Carlo Mamo, Malcolm Licari and Reuben Gauci. However on Sunday, they may have a Serbian midfielder making his debut.

For Floriana, former Marsaxlokk player Malcolm Licari should make his debut. Christian Caruana and Pablo Doffo are suspended.

In the first round, Floriana defeated Marsaxlokk 4-0.

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