Birkirkara and Valletta will be all out to claim the three points on Sunday as they take on Qormi and Sliema Wanderers respectively in the two matches in programme at the National Stadium.

Last week, the Stripes were held in a goalless draw by Balzan while the Citizens lost 1-3 to leaders Hibernians after having two players sent off. Both sides are therefore eager to return to winning ways as the Paolites moved eighteen points clear following a 3-0 win over Pietà Hotspurs on Saturday.

In the first game, Birkirkara face a Qormi side which is coming from six matches without a win, also losing two out of the last three matches. In fact, last week, Qormi lost 1-3 to Sliema Wanderers. They are now joint-fourth from bottom.

Qormi welcome back Bjorn Bondin, Mauricio Latini Mazzetti and Zoran Levnajic who were suspended. Matheus Bissi da Silva returns for Birkirkara but Paul Fenech and Ryan Scicluna serve a one-match ban.

Birkirkara defeated Qormi 2-0 in the first round.

In the second match, Valletta take on Sliema Wanderers.

The Blues are currently seventh but lie just three points behind fourth-placed Balzan and therefore a win would put enable them to join them on the 22-point mark. They are coming from a 3-1 win over Qormi after losing to Floriana and Hibernians in the previous two matches.

For Valletta, Jonathan Caruana and Ryan Fenech are suspended. Sliema will be without the injured Alex Muscat, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino and Michael Mifsud and the suspended Trevor Cilia. Fabio Mangiacasale will be back after serving a suspension.

In the first round, Valletta registered a comfortable 5-0 win.