BOV Premier League leaders Birkirkara are in for a difficult test on Sunday as they take on Sliema Wanderers in one of the two matches in programme at the National Stadium.

The Stripes won four of the five Championship Pool matches, losing only to Sliema. Ironically, they are yet to beat the Wanderers this season as the first round clash ended in a 3-1 win for the Blues and the two teams shared the spoils in a goalless draw in the second round.

Lying in third place, four points behind the Stripes and two behind Hibernians, the Wanderers are eager to maintain their positive run with a win on Sunday to re-open wide the battle for the championship. Sliema have now gone eight matches without defeats.

The two teams are expected to be in full strength apart from Sliema goalkeeper Henry Bonello.

Meanwhile the first match in programme is the derby Tarxien Rainbows vs Hibernians.

Buoyed by a good performance in a 4-2 win over champions Valletta, the Paolites eye another three points which would possibly put them on top the BOV Premier League table should Birkirkara fail to beat Sliema.

However Tarxien eye precious points from this game in their bid to secure a place in one of the UEFA Europa League this summer. In their last outing, they lost narrowly to Birkirkara.

Hibernians welcome back Allan Kardeck dos Santos but goalkeeper Mario Muscat and striker Jean Paul Farrugia are both suspended. Tarxien, on the other hand, should be in full strength.

In the first phase, the two clashes ended in draws 2-2 and 0-0 but the third round clash ended in a 3-0 win for Hibernians.

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