After losing to Mosta in their last league outing, Hibernians hope to return to winning ways as they take on Qormi in one of four BOV Premier League matches in programme on Saturday.
Mosta take on Naxxar Lions in the derby, leaders Balzan face St. Andrews while Pembroke Athleta meet Tarxien Rainbows.
Qormi vs Hibernians, kick-off 15:00 at National Stadium
Dropping seven points from the first seven matches leave Hibernians in fourth place and especially after the heavy 1-4 defeat against Mosta, in the game against Qormi, they cannot afford any result other than a win in order to move back on track.
Qormi, on the other hand, suffered two narrow defeats to Birkirkara and Balzan and are currently third from bottom. Johann Scicluna will be leading the team after coach Jesmond Zerafa stepped down earlier this week.
Andrei Agius returns for Hibernians after serving a one-match ban. Qormi should be in full strength.
Mosta vs Naxxar Lions, kick-off 17:00 at National Stadium
Buoyed by a fine performance and a 4-1 win over champions Hibernians, Mosta hope to continue where they had left with a win over rivals Naxxar Lions who are anchored at the bottom of the table without any points after seven matches.
Naxxar hope the appointment of Clive Mizzi as the new coach will bring them luck by collecting their first positive result of the season. In their last outing, Naxxar suffered a heavy 1-5 defeat to Pembroke.
Mosta’s Edin Murga and Dyson Falzon and Naxxar’s Angus Buhagiar are suspended.
Pembroke Athleta vs Tarxien Rainbows, kick-off 15:00 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
Following a fine win over Naxxar Lions, Pembroke Athleta aim for a fourth win as they take on former coach Jacques Scerri’s side Tarxien Rainbows. One point separates the two teams with Pembroke in seventh place on ten points, followed by Tarxien on nine.
The Rainbows lost 1-3 to Valletta in their last game and a win over Pembroke would put them in a more comfortable position.
For Tarxien, Carlos Menendez Hevia and Alex da Paixao Alves are ruled out through suspension while Pembroke are expected to be in full strength.
St. Andrews vs Balzan, kick-off 17:15 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
St. Andrews take on Balzan in a top-bottom clash as the leaders won five out of the seven matches players, dropping the only points in two draws while St. Andrews conceded seven defeats.
Balzan therefore start as firm favourites to stay on top with another win although goalkeeper Valerio Senatore is suspended while Steve Bezzina and Ryan Fenech are ruled out injured. St. Andrews are expected to welcome back goalkeeper Kris Calleja in goal following a 0-4 defeat to Birkirkara in their last outing.