League leaders Marsaxlokk might extend their lead at the top of the standings later today as they face second placed Msida in the second match on the card.

It is the top clash of the four-match programme which also includes today’s other clash between Hibernians and Pieta, and tomorrow’s Marsa-Floriana and St George’s-Valletta.

Marsaxlokk have maintained their winning trend with slender goal wins, mostly notched by Daniel Bogdanovic who could well be on his way to a place in the Premiership in the next few days.

The highly rated striker in playing quite well this season and has become the southern seasiders’ major asset in the absence of Andre Schembri who is still sidelined through injury.

On their part, Msida must have been heartened by the fact that they managed to take a point from a 1-1 draw against Valletta after having had to play most of the second half in just nine men.

On that day, they had Paul Fenech and Zongo sent off in quick succession. They will both be missing today’s clash and that is certainly a blow for the forward-looking Msida side.

However, the Saints have shown that their second position in the standings is no fluke and even Masaxlokk, at present enjoying a six-point lead, could feel uncomfortable against the likes of strikers Nwoke and Babatunde, considered among the best foreigners on the island.

In the other matches, Hibernians, Floriana and Valletta will all be looking forward to return to winning form as they face opponents from the lower end of the table.

Hibernians will probably be without goalkeeper Mario Muscat. He is expected to be dropped after his poor performance against Birkirkara where the Paolites lost 3-2.

Floriana will certainly be the more desperate for a win against Marsa, as they try to get closer to sixth placed Birkirkara. And they need the three points if they are to challenge the Stripes and possibly some other team, for that sixth place in the Championship Pool.

For Pieta, Marsa and St George’s, these are certainly uphill struggles, but they will not be throwing in the towel completely. They already seem to be resigned to their fate, but any points collected from such matches will be considered as bonus points.