Balzan and Valletta are firm favourites to claim the three points on Sunday as they take on Pembroke Athleta and Mosta respectively in the two matches in programme at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

Following Hibernians’ 3-1 win over Sliema, the Paolites lead the way with 29 points, followed by Balzan on 27 while Birkirkara and Floriana joined Valletta in third place on 24 points. Mosta and Pembroke, on the other hand, lie at the bottom of the table with 8 points and 7 points respectively.

In the first match, Balzan target their ninth win this season. Last week, they beat Mosta 1-0 and another win on Sunday would ensure they regain the top spot. Pembroke lie at the bottom of the table after losing four out of the last five matches, losing 1-2 to Floriana last week.

Lydon Micallef and Alfred Effiong will be back for Balzan after serving a two-match ban but Bruno Giglio de Oliveira and Christian Cassar are both suspended whie Justin Grioli and Paul Fenech are ruled out injured. Pembroke, on the other hand, could not count on Paltemio Barbetti and Zoran Levnaic apart from the injured Luke Montebello.

Balzan defeated Pembroke 2-1 in the first round.

In the second matches, Valletta will be aiming at a seventh consecutive positive result as they take on a Mosta side who lost four out of the last six matches, earning only two points in draws. Last week, Valletta defeated Sliema 2-1.

Claudio Pani and Federico Falcone are suspended for Valletta while Chinatu Francis Onwudinjo serves a one-match ban for Mosta.

In the first round, Valletta beat Mosta 1-0.