Just one week after losing to Valletta through a penalty in added injury time, Birkirkara now face league leaders Marsaxlokk this afternoon and, despite being heavily depleted once again, will be trying to halt this impressive side coached this year by Brian Talbot.

It is the top match of the weekend in the local Premier League with the southern seasiders looking forward to register a ninth consecutive win.

Ironically, it was in the first match against the Stripes that Marsaxlokk suffered their only defeat so far this season. Since then, they have gone on an eight-match consecutive winning sequence.

The programme also includes the last match of the first round today between Floriana and Pieta, while tomorrow, at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Sliema Wanderers will be facing St George’s and second placed Msida face Marsa.

The Stripes have several injury problems to contend with and coach Stephen Azzopardi is hoping to have Michael Galea and Angelo Paradise back in the line-up after missing a number of matches, especially the former who was injured in August.

Yet, the beleaguered coach will have six other players on the sidelines. These are William Camenzuli, Jonathan Holland, Antoine Zahra, Adrian Ciantar, Jean P. Mifsud Triganza and Roderick Briffa.

Azzopardi said yesterday the club’s ‘new acquisitions’ in the January transfer window, could possibly be the return to the side of the bulk of the above mentioned players following long-term injuries!

The side has a new striker in the form of Dario Larrosa, an Argentine who also played in Brazil and in England. He had a quiet debut last week against Valletta, but the Stripes are happy with his inclusion after having left a good impression during training sessions.

Marsaxlokk will certainly be considered favourites to bag another three points, even if Talbot will be missing the injured international Andre Schembri up front.

The leaders have grown in stature and confidence in the past few matches and in striker Daniel Bogdanovic, they have an absolute match-winner who deserves much more recognition at the top levels.

Talbot may also have Cleaven Frendo available after missing the last match through injury.

The match is being screened live on Melita Cable’s Sports Channel (Digital 706) and (Analogue 48), starting with the preview at 3.30pm.

The opening match today, should see Floriana making a bold effort to beat Pieta and collect three precious points to lift themselves above Sliema in the standings, at least until tomorrow when the Blues would be expected to beat St George’s.

Floriana have been going through a rather patchy period after a good start to the season, but now they need some precious points to better their placing in the standings.

The Greens are on 10 points, while their opponents Pieta, have just two points from two draws in eight matches.

Pieta will now have former international Carmel Busuttil at the helm having taken the place of Davide Vittorio as the club’s head coach.

It is still to be seen whether Il-Buzu will perform a miracle at the Hotspurs who will certainly need strengthening, especially up front, if they wish to avoid the drop this season.

Tomorrow, Sliema Wanderers should be able to beat lowly St George’s and provide new coach Ray Farrugia with his first win after the 1-1 draw against Msida last week.

The Blues also need to collect some precious points in this second round but will have to play much better than they are doing at present if they are to avoid a battle royale to avoid playing in the Relegation Pool.

In tomorrow’s other match, Msida should be considered firm favourites to beat luckless Marsa to consolidate second place in the standings.

The Saints will have Babatunde and Pullicino missing through suspension, while Marsa will also have Jeremy Dalli missing, also through suspension.