After being held in a draw by Melita, Sliema Wanderers will be all out for the three points on Friday as they take on Rabat Ajax in one of the two BOV Premier League matches in programme at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

The Blues dropped two important points which would have put them just three points behind the leaders and while edging closer to securing a top-six finish, a win against Rabat would put them in second place on level points with Valletta and Birkirkara with the latter two both being involved in tricky tests this weekend.

Their opponents, Rabat Ajax, are yet to register their first win in the BOV Premier League but collected three points from their last four matches, holding Valletta in a 1-1 draw in their last outing.

Diego Carrillo is set to start for Rabat as Manuel Moral Fuster is suspended apart from the several players ruled out injured for the Magpies. The Blues hope to sign Ian Zammit from Valletta in time to make his debut.

In the first round, two late goals gave Sliema a 2-0 win over Rabat.

Meanwhile in the first match, Balzan take on Qormi.

One point separates the two teams with Qormi lying in the eighth place on 20 points, followed by Balzan on 19.

After losing to Valletta and Sliema, Qormi bounced back with a 4-0 win over Hamrun Spartans – the fourth win in seven matches. Balzan, on the other hand, are coming from three consecutive defeats to Floriana, Tarxien and Mosta. Three defeats which almost rule out chances of making it to the Championship Pool.

Balzan may have Spanish goalkeeper Daniel Martinez making his debut but Matthew Mendy is suspended. Jamie Pace and Renato Conceicao of Balzan and Qormi’s Abubakar Bello-Osagie will be back after serving a one match ban. Qormi may have new foreigners in squad after the departure of Vincenzo Pisani and Sebastian Aurelio Siritto.

In the first round, Balzan beat Qormi 2-1.