The Premier League continues this evening at the Ta’ Qali Centenary Stadium with two matches which were postponed on 18 December due to inclement weather.

In today’s first match, at 6pm, Pieta Hotspurs will be facing Marsaxlokk, while in the match that follows, at 8pm, Sliema Wanderers come up against Lija Athletic.

Sliema will therefore be recuperating one of the two matches they still have pending following the recent postponements due to the spate of bad weather.

And, in all probability, they should be back on top, alongside current league leaders Valletta, though also with a match in hand.

In fact, the Wanderers are considered firm favourites to beat lowly Lija Athletic. The Blues carry too many guns for the Athletic whose only aim is to try and get the points that matter from the matches against the clubs who will be fighting alongside to avoid relegation.

The other match, the first on the card, between Pieta Hotspurs and Marsaxlokk, should be worth watching.

Four points separate the two teams in their battle to win a championship pool place in the second phase of the competition. Pieta are now on 17 points after three consecutive wins while Marsaxlokk have remained lurking on 13 points following a spate of disappointing performances in the first round.

Pieta are at present riding the crest of the waves, especially after having also beaten Birkirkara by the odd goal in five on Sunday evening.

Georgy Deanov’s side is passing through a glorious moment with Ivan Woods and the younger Cleaven Frendo leading their orchestra.

If the Hotspurs can reproduce the form which they showed in their last three matches, especially their organisation at the back and in midfield against Birkirkara last Sunday, then it will be no surprise were they to overcome this obstacle in their efforts to achieve their aim.

Marsaxlokk, however, will have other thoughts. They are well aware they need a victory, not only to push themselves further up the table, but also to boost their sagging morale.

Bulgarian coach Atanas Marinov will be fielding a new-look side with three new foreigners in the form of experienced Bulgarians Mitko Trendatilov and Stanimir Geordiev and young Nigerian Michael Emeka Ochei.

They have released Nigerian Minabo Asechemie and Bulgarian Dragomir Draganov and midfielder/striker Etienne Barbara will be playing his farewell match for them this season – from tomorrow he is expected to be a Sliema W. player after the two clubs agreed on his transfer last week.