Derby clashes and direct duels on the agenda on MD18

Balzan vs Mosta (Friday – Centenary Stadium, 5pm) Matchday 18 gets underway with this interesting fixture as Mosta go head-to-head with Balzan who are struggling in the bottom half of the standings. Balzan are in urgent need of points to start moving up the table. Mosta, on the other hand, will be looking to get back to winning form following back-to-back. Balzan will have influential midfielder Steve Pisani missing through suspension while Mosta welcome back Matias Muchardi who has served a one-match ban. An enthralling 3-3 draw was the outcome of the corresponding first-round match between Balzan and Mosta. Santa Lucia vs Sliema Wanderers (Friday – Centenary Stadium, 9pm) This is expected to turn into a balanced fixture between two sides who play offensive football. A win for Santa Lucia would see them go level on points with Sliema Wanderers who are going through a bad spell, losing their last three games. By contrast, Santa Lucia are enjoying a very positive with a series of solid performances propelling them to a mid-table position. They have drawn four of their last five matches, including a 2-2 draw against leaders Ħamrun Spartans last weekend. The first-round fixture ended in a 3-1 win for Sliema Wanderers. Sirens vs Floriana (Saturday – National Stadium, 2pm) Sirens are currently three points clear of Floriana whose poor run has seen them drop into perilious waters. They are winless in their last nine matches, gaining only three points in the process. On the other hand, Sirens appear to be gaining momentum under the guidance of Giovanni Tedesco, having beaten Sliema Wanderers in their last outing. They will be aiming for back-to-back wins to maintain their upward progression. Floriana will be without the suspended trio of Alexander Cini, Nicola Leone and Matias Garcia. The first-round fixture between the sides saw Floriana pull off a narrow 3-2 win over the side from St Paul’s Bay. Hibernians vs Tarxien Rainbows (Saturday – Hibernians Stadium, 2pm) Neighbouring rivals Hibernians and Tarxien Rainbows face each other with both needing the points for contrasting reasons. The Paolites are currently in second place, cementing their statys as genuine title contenders after a comprehensive midweek 4-1 win over Gudja United.  Tarxien Rainbows are among the sides fighting to keep their place in the top flight, albeit they have improved considerably since last season. Tarxien, who have not enjoyed a derby win in the last eight years, will be without two key players, Daren Falzon and Edison Zarate both suspended. Hibernians will be without Leandro Almeida who must serve a one-match ban.Hibernians won the first-round encounter 1-0. Senglea Athletic vs Ħamrun Spartans (Saturday – National Stadium, 6pm) Leaders Ħamrun Spartans face bottom side Senglea Athletic whose hopes of avoiding relegation are looking very slim.  The Spartans have been in impressive form lately, extending their positive run with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Valletta in midweek, inspired by brilliant performances from Jorge Ailton Soares (Cape Verde) and Franklin Sasere (Nigeria). Spartans coach Mark Buttigieg will the second of two-match touchline ban while key player Matthew Guillaumier is also suspended. Brazilian Emerson Marcelina is back in the fray. Senglea welcome back in the fold Luis Riascos and Andrè Scicluna.  Ħamrun Spartans emerged 3-0 winners in the first-round encounter. Gudja United vs Żejtun Corinthians (Saturday – Hibernians Stadium, 6pm) Another derby duel this weekend as Żejtun Corinthians face neighbours Gudja United amid expectations of another hard-fought match. Żejtun Corinthians are on a roll and a win would take them level on points with their opponents. Gudja United succumbed to a midweek 4-1 defeat to Hibernians while Żejtun temporarily moved out of the relegation zone following a 3-1 win over bottom side Senglea Athletic in their last outing. Lucas Moreira is out for Żejtun due to suspension. Gudja United beat Żejtun Corinthians 1-0 in their first-round match. Gżira United vs Valletta (Sunday – National Stadium, 2pm) The most attractive fixture of the weekend as Gżira United take on Valletta. Gżira United will be aiming to keep the pace with front-runners Ħamrun Spartans and Hibernians while Valletta face a tall order to get back into the top positions after a below-par campaign by their usual standards. Defensive duo Jean Borg and Enmy Pena Beltre are doubtful for the Whites after coming off injured in the midweek 3-0 defeat against Ħamrun Spartans. Maroons coach Darren Abdilla is without goalkeeper Justin Haber but should otherwise have a full squad at his disposalWhen the two sides met earlier this season, Gżira prevailed 3-1. Birkirkara vs Lija Athletic (Sunday – National Stadium, 6pm) A tricky match for Birkirkara against a never-say-die Lija Athletic side boosted by their 2-1 win over Floriana in midweek. The Stripes will be looking to make up further ground on the pacesetters, striving to stay on the positive track and get into the Euro qualifying spots in the coming weeks. Defender Juan Cruz Gill is missing for Lija while Birkirkara are expected to be at gull strength. Last weekend, Birkirkara needed a late Luke Montebello goal to see off Mosta. The first-round match between Birkirkara and Lija ended goalless.