Sliema Wanderers and Naxxar Lions, Qormi and Pietà Hotspurs are involved in must-win clashes in two of the four BOV Premier League matches in programme on Saturday.
Valletta target the fourth win on the trot as they face Zebbug Rangers while Tarxien Rainbows hope to end their disappointing run in the game against Mosta.
Tarxien Rainbows vs Mosta, kick-off 14:00 at Hibernians Stadium
After beating Qormi last week, Mosta aim for a second consecutive win in their bid to move fifth as they take on Tarxien Rainbows. The Blues are currently sixth on 23 points.
Tarxien, on the other hand, are third from bottom, having won just one of the last eleven matches and losing to Balzan and Birkirkara in their last two outings.
With Brazilian Alessandro Lopes Pereira also being released, Tarxien will be having three new Spanish players in squad, joining midfielder Carlos Menendez Hevia. Mosta, on the other hand, welcome back Nemanja Milovanovic and Tyrone Farrugia but Omar Borg is suspended.
In the first round, Mosta defeated Tarxien 2-1.
Valletta vs Zebbug Rangers, kick-off 16:00 at Hibernians Stadium
Valletta seek a fourth consecutive win as they face bottom-placed Zebbug Rangers. The Citizens are coming from three consecutive wins over Sliema, Qormi and Pietà.
However Zebbug’s morale is high after a good display against Hibernians and a 2-1 win over Sliema Wanderers in their last two outings.
Zebbug welcome back Jacob Borg, Yessous Camilleri and Kurt Zammit. Shaun Bajada is ruled out injured for Valletta.
In the first round, Valletta defeated Zebbug 2-0.
Sliema Wanderers vs Naxxar Lions, kick-off 14:00 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
Sliema and Naxxar will both be all out to return to winning ways after disappointing in recent outings. The Wanderers lost four out of the last six matches, losing 1-2 to Zebbug last week. Naxxar, on the other hand, are coming from three consecutive defeats which leave them joint-fourth from bottom.
Julian Azzopardi, Albert Bruce and Daren Falzon will be back for Jesmond Zerafa’s side after serving a suspension with Senegalese striker Demba Toure set for his debut. The Wanderers, on the other hand, could have up to three players making his debut after the signing of Pedro dos Santos Calcado from Mosta, Joseph Borg from Floriana and Wisdom Ifeanyi from St. George’s. Stefano Bianciardi will return after missing the last game but Filippo Andrea Scozzese is suspended and Michael Mifsud is still ruled out injured.
Naxxar beat Sliema 1-0 in the first round.
Qormi vs Pietà Hotspurs, kick-off 16:15 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
Qormi and Pietà Hotspurs cannot afford losing more points as they aim at climbing out of the danger zone. Qormi are coming from four consecutive defeats and have gone nine matches without a win while Pietà lost the last three matches and failed to win any of the last six matches.
Duncan Pisani returns for Qormi after missing the last game through suspension while Edafe Uzeh has joined the club after being released by Naxxar. Pietà could not count on the injured Cain Attard.
In the first round, the two teams shared the spoils in a goalless draw.