Leaders Valletta will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run to thirteen matches with a sixth win in a row as they take on Qormi in one of the four BOV Premier League matches in programme on Saturday at the Hibernians Stadium and Victor Tedesco Stadium.
In-form Balzan face Mosta, Naxxar Lions take on Tarxien Rainbows while Sliema Wanderers and Floriana cross swords in the Old Firm derby.
Mosta vs Balzan, kick-off 14:00 at Hibernians Stadium
Balzan seek an eighth consecutive win as they face a Mosta side who failed to win any of the last four matches, losing to Valletta and Birkirkara and holding Tarxien and Pembroke in draws. In their last outing, Balzan defeated Pembroke 2-1 while Mosta lost 3-6 to Birkirkara.
Elkin Serrano returns for Balzan after serving a one-match ban but Samir Arab and Pedrinho are both suspended. Mosta welcome back Onyekachi Okonkwo but Jonas Rodriguez Ekani is suspended.
Balzan defeated Mosta 3-1 in the first round and 4-1 in the second.
Qormi vs Valletta, kick-off 16:00 at Hibernians Stadium
Valletta start as firm favourites to register a sixth consecutive win as they take on a Qormi side who lost the last eight matches. In the last five matches, Qormi conceded no less than twenty-two goals and scored none. Valletta, on the other hand, dropped just two points in a draw from the last twelve matches.
Federico Falcone is suspended for the Citizens while Romeu Romao and Ian Azzopardi are recovering from injuries. Qormi, on the other hand, could not count on the suspended Ousmane Sidibe and Pietro Viggiani.
In the first two rounds, Valletta defeated Qormi 2-1 and 2-0 respectively.
Naxxar Lions vs Tarxien Rainbows, kick-off 14:00 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
After winning just one of the last six matches, Tarxien Rainbows hope to move back on track with a win over Naxxar Lions. However Naxxar hope to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Floriana in order to collect precious points in the battle against relegation.
Ryan Grech returns for Naxxar after serving a two-match ban for Naxxar. Carlos Menendez Hevia and Bruno Giglio de Oliveira are in doubt for Tarxien as they are recovering from injuries.
Tarxien defeated Naxxar 5-0 and 4-0 in the previous rounds.
Sliema Wanderers vs Floriana, kick-off 16:15 at Victor Tedesco Stadium
Alfonso Greco will be making his return as Sliema Wanderers coach, sixteen months after being sacked by the club, as the Blues aim for a second positive result after beating Tarxien Rainbows last week. A win which ended a disappointing run of five consecutive defeats which led to the dismissal of coach Stephen Azzopardi.
However their task will be no easy one as they face a Floriana side who registered two wins in their last three outings and seeks a place in the UEFA Europa League this summer.
Mauricio Villa and Juninho Cabral return for Floriana after serving a one-match ban. Sliiema could not count on the suspended Johann Bezzina and Njongo Priso.
Floriana defeated Sliema 3-0 in the first round and 2-1 in the second.