The first phase of the BOV Premier League comes to an end on Sunday as Tarxien Rainbows take on Mosta and Qormi face Floriana at the National Stadium.

The four teams have their faith already sealed as Mosta will be playing in the Championship Pool while Tarxien, Qormi and Floriana will be playing in the Relegation Pool.

In the first game, both Tarxien and Mosta target precious points for different objectives.

Mosta will start the second phase in fifth place and a win over Tarxien would put them on the 19-point mark, just three points behind Sliema Wanderers. A draw would make no difference as they would still start on 18 points. They are coming from four successive wins in their last four league outings.

Tarxien, on the other hand, lost four out of the last five matches and are currently third from bottom. With a draw, they would start the second phase on nine points while a win would put them on the 10-point mark. However the Rainbows’ morale is high after re-signing Daniel Mariano Bueno and securing the services of Brazilian midfielder Lucas Goncalves da Silva.

Carlos Menendez Hevia is however ruled out through suspension for Tarxien. Mosta, on the other hand, welcome back Gianmarco Piccioni but Manolito Micallef is suspended.

In the first round, Mosta and Tarxien shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw.

In the second match, Qormi take on Floriana in a clash between two sides desperate for points. Qormi lost six of the last seven matches and are currently second from bottom. Floriana, on the other hand, will start the Relegation Pool in second place but are coming from five consecutive defeats.

Since both teams have an odd number of points, a draw would make no difference. However the winner of this clash would gain a point. A win for Floriana would put them on the 12-point mark, just two behind Naxxar, while a win for Qormi would see them start the second phase on 9 points, rather than 8.

Owen Bugeja returns for Qormi after serving a two-match ban. Triston Caruana will also be back from suspension. Floriana should be in full strength.

In the first round, Floriana beat Qormi 3-0.

Photo: Copyright © Paul Zammit Cutajar