Precious points will be at stake as Tarxien Rainbows take on Qormi and Naxxar Lions face Vittoriosa Stars in two Relegation Pool clashes on Saturday.

In the Championship Pool, Balzan face Mosta and Sliema Wanderers meet Hibernians.

Tarxien R. vs Qormi, kick-off 14:00 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
Both Tarxien and Qormi are coming from three consecutive wins and another win on Saturday for either side would put them closer to securing their Premier League status. Qormi start as favourites after beating Tarxien twice in the first phase – 6-2 and 3-0.

Tarxien’s Manuel Caruana and Qormi’s Jonathan Bondin are both suspended.

Naxxar L. vs Vittoriosa S., kick-off 16:15 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
This game is almost a do-or-die clash for Vittoriosa in a clash between the teams lying second and third from bottom. Naxxar Lions lie three points ahead but they lost six of the last eight matches, earning only two points in draws. Vittoriosa, on the other hand, are coming from a 1-5 defeat to Qormi after beating Rabat 3-1 in their previous outing.

Both coaches will be unable to field their best formation as Andrew Decesare, Thiago Lopez de Souza and Angus Buhagiar are suspended for Naxxar, Ousmane Sidibe, Jose Filipe Aguiar and Federico Santaguida are banned for Vittoriosa.

The first round clash eneded in a 1-1 draw while Naxxar registered a 1-0 win in the second round.

Balzan vs Mosta, kick-off 14:00 at Hibernians Stadium
Mosta hope to maintain the challenge for a place in Europe with a win over Balzan. The Blues earned two points in two draws from their last two matches. Balzan, on the other hand are coming from five consecutive wins.

Mosta lack Gianmarco Piccioni, Tyrone Farrugia and Ryan Grech who are suspended. Kurt Magro serves a one-match ban for Balzan.

Mosta won 3-1 in the first round but Balzan registered a 2-0 win in the second round.

Sliema W. vs Hibernians, kick-off 16:00 at Hibernians Stadium
Buoyed by their narrow win over Birkirkara, Hibernians seek the three points in order to move six points clear of Sliema in the battle for third place. The Wanderers may be fully focussed on the U*BET FA Trophy after securing a place in the final but will still aim at finishing third and a win over the Paolites would put them on level points.

Bjorn Kristensen is suspended for Hibernians while Alex Muscat and Admir Vladavic are banned for Sliema.

In the first round, the two teams shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw but Sliema won 3-1 in the second round.

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