Valletta, Birkirkara chase wins to extend positive runs

Valletta and Birkirkara start as firm favourites to collect the three points on Saturday as they take on Tarxien Rainbows and Lija Athletic respectively in their bid to extend their positive runs and maintain the challenge for the title.

Floriana face Mosta while precious points in the battle against relegation will be at stake as St. Andrews face Naxxar Lions.

Birkirkara vs Lija Athletic, kick-off 14:00 at Hibernians Stadium
After dropping their first points in a draw with Valletta following eight consecutive wins, Birkirkara will be all out to return to winning ways as they take on bottom-placed Lija who are coming from nine consecutive defeats.

In the first round, Birkirkara defeated Lija 2-0.

St. Andrews vs Naxxar Lions, kick-off 16:00 at Hibernians Stadium
The teams lying fourth and third from bottom cross swords in a direct clash in the battle against relegation. After claiming five points from the previous three matches, St. Andrews lost 1-2 to Senglea last week. Naxxar, on the other hand, held Hibernians in a goalless draw after back-to-back defeats to Birkirkara and Tarxien.

Kevaughn Atkinson is ruled out for St. Andrews as he serves a one-match ban.

In the first round, Naxxar defeated St. Andrews 3-1.

Floriana vs Mosta, kick-off 14:00 at National Stadium
After earning two points from the last two matches in draws with Balzan and Gzira, Floriana hope to return to winning ways as they take on Mosta. They are currently sixth on 34 points, four behind third-placed Birkirkara and Gzira. Mosta, on the other hand, are currently ninth on 23 points, earning two points from the last three matches, following draws with Hibs and St. Andrews and a defeat to Hamrun.

The Greens could not count on the suspended Sebastian Nayar and Clyde Borg but Maurizio Vella will be back after serving a three-match ban.

In the first round, Floriana and Mosta shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw.

Tarxien Rainbows vs Valletta, kick-off 16:00 at National Stadium
After dropping six points in three draws out of the last four matches, Valletta target the three points on Saturday to join leaders Balzan, at least temporarily, on top the BOV Premier League table. The Rainbows are currently second from bottom but earned five points from the last three matches thanks to a win over Naxxar and draws with Senglea and Sliema.

Andre Scicluna is ruled out for Tarxien as he serves a one-match ban but Sean Cipriott will be back after serving a three-match ban.

In the first round, Valletta defeated Tarxien 6-0.