Hamrun Spartans will be hoping to end their negative run on Friday as they host Mosta in one of the two BOV Premier League matches in programme at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

The Spartans lost the last five matches and are now third from bottom on 13 points, nine behind the Blues who are currently sixth and fight for a place in the Championship Pool. In their last outing, Hamrun lost 1-4 to Tarxien Rainbows.

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Mosta are eager to get back on track after losing three of the last four matches and a win would temporarily put them in fourth place. They are coming from a 0-2 defeat to Sliema on Monday.

Luke Dimech returns for Mosta after serving a one-match ban. Hamrun could not count on the suspended Roderick Fenech and Anton Vergilov.

In the first round, Mosta defeated Hamrun 4-1.

Meanwhile in the second match, Hibernians take on Rabat Ajax.

A win for the Paolites would put them temporarily in first place as they currently share the runner-up spot with Birkirkara, one point behind leaders Valletta. They won four of the last five matches and are favourites to claim the three points.

However Rabat Ajax aim for a third positive result after a draw with Melita and a fine performance in a 3-3 draw with Birkirkara last week. The Magpies are the only team yet without a win from fourteen matches.

Rabat will be lacking the injured Christopher Schembri, Adam Smeir and Ryan Micallef. for Hibernians. Udo Nwoko is suspended.

In the first round, Hibernians defeated Rabat Ajax 3-0.