Joint-leaders Valletta and Birkirkara seek sole leadership as the two teams cross swords in the this weekend’s big match from the BOV Premier League.

After winning just one of the previous eight matches, champions Valletta returned to winning ways with an impressive 4-1 win over Hibernians and they hope to continue where they have left with another win over the Stripes in order to move three points clear.

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Birkirkara, on the other hand, dominated in a most comfortable 5-0 win over Tarxien Rainbows – their first win after four consecutive draws.

Ryan Camenzuli is suspended while Joselito dos Reis is ruled out injured. Valletta, on the other hand, could not count on the suspended Manuel Bartolo, Ryan Fenech and Demba Toure while Steve Borg is ruled out injured.

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

Meanwhile in the first match, Qormi take on Floriana.

Three defeats in the last four matches have almost ruled out any chances of Qormi securing a top-six finish. They are therefore eager to return to victory against a Floriana side which collected two points from the last three matches and is currently ninth, one point ahead of Qormi.

Qormi’s Edison Bilbao Zarate and Floriana’s Igor Coronado are ruled out through suspension. However three players are set to make their debut for Jesmond Zerafa’s side – defender Clyde Camoin and strikers Moises Avila Perez and Alfred Effiong.

The first round clash between Floriana and Qormi ended in a 2-2 draw.