Precious points will be at stake on Friday as Qormi take on Melita and Rabat Ajax face Hamrun Spartans in the two matches in programme at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

Qormi started their commitments with a defeat to Rabat Ajax last week. This was the second defeat in three matches for Jesmond Zerafa’s side and therefore against Melita, they will be all out to return to winning ways.

Photo: Copyright © Joe Borg / MFA

Melita are desperate for points as they are now anchored at the bottom of the table with seven points. They are coming from four successive defeats, losing 1-2 to Floriana last Friday.

Andrew Caruana Scicluna and Matthew Borg are ruled out through suspension but Karl Vella Petroni will be back after missing the last game. For Qormi, Jonathan Bondin is suspended.

The Amateurs registered a 3-2 win over Qormi in the first round. Qormi won the second round clash 2-1.

Meanwhile in the second game, Rabat Ajax seek a third positive result in the game against Hamrun Spartans.

Back-to-back wins against Mosta and Qormi enabled Rabat to move third from bottom after spending months at the bottom of the table. Another positive result would keep them ahead of both Hamrun and Melita. However they need to be extra careful considering that although Hamrun Spartans lost thirteen out of the last fourteen matches, the Spartans’ only win was against Rabat.

In the first games from the Relegation Pool, Rabat registered a dramatic 2-1 win over Qormi while Hamrun lost 1-3 to Balzan.

Massimo Grima returns for Hamrun but Roderick Fenech is suspended. Dylan Falzon and Patrick Borg are in doubt apart from the injured Justin Felice, Adam Smeir, Chris Schembri and Ryan Micallef.

The first round clash ended in a 1-1 draw with Hamrun winning the second round clash 3-1.