Joint-leaders Birkirkara will be all-out to claim the three points on Saturday as they take on Balzan in one of the four BOV Premier League matches in programme.

Hibs will be hoping to return to winning ways as they face Vittoriosa Stars while Sliema Wanderers and Mosta start as favourites as they take on Naxxar Lions and Rabat Ajax respectively.

Naxxar L. vs Sliema W., kick-off 14:00 at Hibernians Stadium
Sliema Wanderers aim for the three points in order to strengthen their fourth place as they face a Naxxar Lions side in need of points after collecting just one point from the last three matches. Naxxar are still sixth but they now lead by just two points over Tarxien, Balzan and Floriana.

Evaldo Silva dos Santos and Andrew Decesare return after serving a one-match ban but Louis Cutajar is still recovering from an injury. For Sliema, Mark Scerri is suspended while Stanley Ohawuchi and Abubaker Bello-Osagie are recovering from injuries.

In the first round, Sliema beat Naxxar 2-0.

Balzan vs Birkirkara, kick-off 16:00 at Hibernians Stadium
Five successive wins enabled Birkirkara to join Hibernians on top the BOV Premier League table and now target another three points to make sure to stay on top. However their task is no easy one, considering that Balzan are eager for points in their bid to secure a top-six finish. After collecting a point in a draw with Valletta, Balzan defeated Vittoriosa in their last outing.

For Birkirkara, Matheus Bissi da Silva is ruled out injured. Dani Miguelez, Firas Aboulezz and Mark Spiteri are still unavailable for Balzan.

In the first round, Birkirkara defeated Balzan 2-1.

Hibernians vs Vittoriosa S., kick-off 14:00 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
Hibernians hope to return to victory as they take on Vittoriosa Stars. A convincing win for Branko Nisevic’s side is a must ahead of the mid-week clash with Valleta. Vittoriosa lost four out of the last five matches and are currently third from bottom.

Bjorn Kristensen is ruled out for Hibernians as he serves a one-match ban. Ramon dos Santos and Marcio Teruel are no longer with the club while Luke Vella Critien, Sheldon Grech and Roberto Brincat are still recovering from injuries.

In the first round, Hibernians defeated Vittoriosa 5-2.

Mosta vs Rabat A., kick-off 16:15 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
Mosta aim to keep the pace with the teams on top as they take on bottom-placed Rabat. The Blues disappointed in their last outing losing heavily to Valletta but a win against Rabat would put them back on track. The Magpies lost three of the last four matches.

Jonas Ekani Rodriguez returns for Mosta after serving a one-match ban but Diego Pereira is still recovering from an injury. Rabat welcome back Diego Carrillo, Dani Pelaez and Shaun Gauci after serving suspensions. Pavle Velimirovic and Adam Smeir are ruled out injured.

In the first round, Mosta beat Rabat 3-0.