Hibernians will be hoping to return to winning ways on Saturday as they take on Mosta in one of the four matches in programme at the Victor Tedesco Stadium and the Hibernians Stadium.
In the first match at the Hibernians Stadium, kick-off at 14:00, Tarxien Rainbows take on Senglea Athletic in a clash between two teams engaged in the battle to avoid the play-off spot. Two points separate the two teams as Tarxien share the ninth place with Mosta while Senglea are currently fourth from bottom on 20 points.
Tarxien defeated Qormi in their last outing to end a most disappointing run of five consecutive defeats. Senglea, on the other hand, registered a most comfortable 5-0 win over St. Andrews. This was the fifth win in eight matches for Vincenzo Potenza’s side.
On Saturday, the Rainbows could not count on the suspended Juan Cruz Gill.
Tarxien defeated Senglea 2-1 in the first round.
In the second match at the Hibernians Stadium, kick-off at 16:00, St. Andrews face Balzan.
Six defeats in seven matches leave the Saints third from bottom, just five points ahead of Qormi. In the last three matches, they conceded nine goals and scored none, losing 0-5 to Senglea in their last outing.
Balzan, on the other hand, are currently seventh on 33 points. Winning just one out of the last six matches saw their chances of securing a UEFA Europa League almost fade away. Against St. Andrews, they will be without the suspended Ivan Bozovic and Aleksandar Kosoric.
In the first round, St. Andrews shocked Balzan, defeating them 2-0.
Meanwhile in the first match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, kick-off at 14:00, Gzira United take on Pietà Hotspurs.
The Maroons cannot afford any result other than a win in their bid to secure third place. However they won just two out of the last eight matches with five ending in draws. Pietà, on the other hand, remain anchored at the bottom of the table after losing the last eleven matches.
The Hotspurs will be without the suspended Paul Chimezie, Uchenna Calistus Umeh and Ishaya Irimiya Jalo while Edison Bilbao Zarate is ruled out for Gzira as he also serves a one-match ban.
In the first round, the Hotspurs held Gzira in a 1-1 draw.
In the second match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, kick-off at 16:15, Hibernians face Mosta.
Lying in second place, two points behind leaders Valletta, the Paolites target maximum points to move at least temporarily on top, hoping that Valletta fail to beat rivals Floriana on Sunday. Hibs are coming from back-to-back draws with Hamrun and Sliema.
The Blues, on the other hand, share ninth place with Tarxien and are coming from two defeats to Sliema and Valletta.
For Hibernians, Nemanja Radojevic and Jake Grech are ruled out through suspension.
Hibernians defeated Mosta 4-0 in the first round.