Leaders Valletta hope to extend their unbeaten run to eighteen matches without defeat as they take on Balzan Youths in the first game of the Championship Pool. One of two matches in programme at the Hibernians Stadium on Tuesday after being postponed on Sunday.

The Citizens were held in a 1-1 draw by Floriana in their last outing and therefore are keen to impress and move five points clear of second-placed Hibernians.

After securing a top-six finish with a narrow win over Tarxien Rainbows in the last game of the first phase, Balzan Youths will now aim at making life difficult for the leaders. In the previous rounds, the Youths suffered two 0-2 defeats to Valletta.

Bledjon Guga will be back for Balzan after missing the last game through suspension. For Valletta, Nigerian striker Alfred Effiong is suspended.

Meanwhile in the first match, Mosta and Hamrun Spartans both aim at starting the second phase with a morale-boosting win after both succumbed to defeats in their last outing.

Mosta lost two of the last three matches but a win over Hamrun would put them on top of the Relegation Pool on level points with Qormi. However they are yet to beat the Spartans this season after losing 0-1 in the first round and being held in a 2-2 draw in the second.

A win for Hamrun, on the other hand, would enable Stefan Sultana’s to leapfrog Mqabba, Tarxien and Mosta and move second, therefore opening wide the battle againt relegation. Hamrun won just one of the last eight matches.

Lee James Agius returns for Hamrun after serving a one-match ban. Mosta’s Florent Raimy and Ian Zammit are suspended but Federico Tisbi and Yannick Ossok will be back after missing the last game.