Hibernians will be all out to return to winning ways as they take on Birkirkara at the National Stadium, kick-off at 19:00, in one of the three BOV Premier League matches in programme on Friday.

The Paolites dropped six points in three draws in their last three matches but a win over Birkirkara would put them temporarily on top the BOV Premier League table, two points ahead of Valletta.

However Birkirkara cannot afford dropping any points in their bid to secure a place in the UEFA Europa League this summer. They are currently fifth on 39 points after winning three out of the last four matches.

Marcelo Dias is ruled out for Hibernians as he serves a three-match ban. Birkirkara’s Terence Agius is also suspended.

In the first round, Hibs defeated Birkirkara 2-1.

At the Victor Tedesco Stadium, kick-off at 18:00, Qormi take on Sliema Wanderers.

Back-to-back defeats to Tarxien and Hamrun left Qormi second from bottom and only a win against the Blues would revive hopes of avoiding one of the two bottom places.

Sliema, however, are eager to bounce back from last week’s narrow defeat to Birkirkara. A defeat which saw them fall to sixth place, two points behind Hamrun and one behind the Stripes.

The Wanderers, who will be without the suspended Claudio Pani, defeated Qormi 2-0 in the first round.

In the second match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, kick-off at 20:15, Balzan face Tarxien Rainbows.

Lying seventh on 36 points, Balzan are desperate for points in their attempt to make it to the fourth place, at least. Their record is quite poor compared to recent years, considering that they won just two out of the last ten matches.

Tarxien, on the other hand, are joint-ninth and seek precious points in order to make sure of avoiding the play-off spot. They collected four points from their last two matches after defeating Qormi and a draw with Senglea.

In the first round, Balzan defeated Tarxien 3-1.