Leaders Valletta could move three points clear should they beat Pembroke Athleta in one of the four BOV Premier League matches in programme on Sunday at the Hibernians Stadium and National Stadium.
Birkirkara take on Floriana, Balzan face Sliema Wanderers and Mosta meet Tarxien Rainbows in the other three matches.
Mosta vs Tarxien Rainbows, kick-off 14:00 at National Stadium
After beating rivals Naxxar Lions in the derby, Mosta will be aiming for another positive result as they take on Tarxien Rainbows, hoping to close in on the latter. The Rainbows, in fact, lie in sixth place, four points ahead of the Blues but are coming from a narrow defeat to Pembroke in their last outing.
Tarxien will be without the suspended Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos, Carlos Hevia Menendez and Bruno Giglio de Oliveira but should have Swedish striker Alex Nilsson, John Mintoff and possibly Spanish midfielder Sergio Fernandez Prendes making their debut. Mosta, on the other hand, should have three new Nigerian players in squad while Edile Micheletti is ruled out through suspension.
In the first round, the two teams shared the spoils in a goalless draw.
Birkirkara vs Floriana, kick-off 16:00 at National Stadium
Birkirkara could join Hibernians in second place should they beat Floriana as they target a sixth consecutive league win. However the Greens are eager to upset the Stripes after losing two out of the last three games.
Marcelina Emerson returns for Floriana as he re-joined the club on loan from Birkirkara but Clyde Borg and captain Nicolas Chiesa are suspended. The Stripes, in the mean time, continued to strengthen their squad with another two foreigners – Matija Smrekar and L’Imam Seydi.
In the first round, Birkirkara and Floriana shared the spoils in a goalless draw.
Pembroke Athleta vs Valletta, kick-off 14:00 at Hibernians Stadium
Valletta hope to revenge their first round 0-2 defeat to Pembroke Athleta in their bid to regain sole leadership and move three points clear of Hibernians. However after a shock 1-0 win over Tarxien Rainbows, Pembroke eye more precious points in their bid to climb further up the BOV Premier League table.
Towards the end of the week, the Citizens secured the services of a Colombian defender while Pembroke Athleta registered Edoardo do Nascimento ‘Bizu’, who came out of retirement after playing for Floriana, Sliema Wanderers, St. George’s, Ghajnsielem and Nadur Youngsters.
Sliema Wanderers vs Balzan, kick-off 16:00 at Hibernians Stadium
Balzan hope to keep the pace with the top three teams with a win over Sliema Wanderers for a fourth consecutive win. The Wanderers, however, are eager for points as they continue to share the eighth place with Pembroke Athleta following defeats to Floriana and Birkirkara in their last two outings.
The Wanderers loaned John Mintoff to Tarxien but signed Armando dos Santos who played for Naxxar and Saviour Fidelis from Mosta. For Balzan, Clive Brincat is ruled out as he serves a one-match ban but Justin Grioli returns after missing the last game.
In the first round, Balzan defeated Sliema 1-0.